TAIF: The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) in Riyadh has launched an investigation into a complaint lodged by a Saudi man who claimed that he had been physically assaulted by some members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) in Riyadh. Ra'ed Al-Dowsari, 22, works as an inspector for a private company contracted to the Riyadh Mayoralty. In his complaint he alleged that the staffers attacked him while he was performing his duty photographing in the streets of Al-Quds District in the capital. An official at the NSHR confirmed that a complaint has been received from a citizen and the body has started an investigation. Okaz/Saudi Gazette tried to contact the Hai'a's spokesman to clarify matters but was told he was on leave. An SMS was also sent to his assistant, but there was no reply. Ali Al-Dowsari, the plaintiff's brother, claimed that while Ra'ed was on an official assignment to photograph a street in Al-Quds District close to the girls' school, a Hai'a patrol suddenly stopped near his car, a staffer asked him why he was photographing the girls and started assaulting him physically. Following this he said his brother had phoned his father from his mobile. When his father arrived, two Hai'a staffers also beat him up, Ali claimed. Ali said his father managed to take Ra'ed away in his car but was chased by the Hai'a patrol and forced to stop. The Hai'a staffers took a bleeding Ra'ed in their vehicle. They first took him to their office and then to a police station where he was allegedly thrown down at the stairs.
