JEDDAH: The man being held on suspicion of a series of child rapes is refusing to speak to investigators other than to deny all charges against him, Al-Yawm Arabic daily reported Thursday. The suspect, whose DNA is reported to have matched semen samples taken from a nine-year-old girl thought to be his most recent victim, is now believed to have been involved in the abduction and rape of up to 16 young girls. Local press also revealed that the suspect is a schoolteacher. Al-Yawm reported that the man, a husband and father of six, is being held under close observation as authorities regard him as a potential suicide threat. According to Al-Yawm, investigators believe that he committed all the acts at his home in the Al-Ajaweed district, where he is said to have also forced his victims to smoke shisha and watch pornographic films. Saudi Gazette reported earlier this week that six victims had also formally recognized the suspect. Police said they received reports all bearing similar characteristics from parents in Al-Kandara, Al-Balad, Al-Jami'a and Al-Sharfiya. Several local media outlets printed Thursday CCTV images of the suspect dressed in a white thobe and white shamagh headdress, pursuing victims and walking away with them at shopping areas and car parks. Al-Watan newspaper, which reproduced a still from footage inside a hospital, quoted a police source as saying that the number of victims had gone up from 13 to 16. “Three Saudi victims have now appeared, all aged between six and nine, who were raped a year and a half ago… their families do not wish to report the cases formally as they are worried about the consequences for the victims because of traditions and social norms,” the source said. “Despite all the evidence against the suspect he still maintains that he is not guilty of any of the charges made against him.” Al-Watan also reported that schoolmates of one of the victims were undergoing psychological counseling to cope with their fears. The first case in which the suspect is believed to be involved was reported three years ago when a nine-year-old girl was snatched from a wedding hall. According to testimonies, he lured young girls into his car by offering them sweets, acting at different times of day and using two vehicles to cover his tracks. He is also reported to have caused serious facial injuries to his victims. The most recent victim of the rapist, also a nine-year-old, provided numerous details that enabled police to identity him. She reportedly managed to retrace for investigators the route on which she was taken when she was abducted, and recalled details such as the make of his mobile telephone and other personal possessions.
