A Saudi family here has accused members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai'a) of beating them at a picnic spot north of the city at the weekend. Family members said the Hai'a staff had objected to the “strange” haircuts and fashion of the boys of the family, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily quoted sources as saying. The family also alleged that the Hai'a staffers broke into the cabana where they were staying and started to beat everyone indiscriminately. This forced several female members of the family to flee outside without their abayas. The attack took place in full view of other visitors, the family claimed. The family reported the alleged abuse to Riyadh police. Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Aal Al-Sheikh, the newly-appointed chief of the organization, has ordered an investigation, said Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Gafari, the Hai'a spokesman. He emphasized that the Hai'a does not accept such behavior and will punish the staff if they are found guilty. The family has been asked to provide their testimony. Preliminary investigation, he said, showed that the field staff had acted after receiving a report from the security and safety forces that some youth in the park had committed violations. He rejected reports that the Hai'a will no longer patrol public spaces and will depend on surveillance cameras. He said the law issued by the Council of Ministers allows the Hai'a to have a presence in public areas, particularly those frequented by families. This was for their protection, he added. Meanwhile, the spokesman also denied media reports that the Hai'a will appoint female staff to oversee female accessory shops. The issue is being discussed with the Ministry of Labor, he added.
