AL-BAHA – The Emir of Al-Baha region has instructed concerned agencies to investigate the death of a citizen during a hot chase by members of the religious police in the southwestern city of Baljurashi Saturday. Prince Mishari Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz said he was appalled at the manner in which members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Hai'a) acted and that a committee had been set up to investigate the incident. “All those linked to the accident have been arrested and are being interrogated... those responsible will be punished,” he said and assured such incidents would not happen again. The Emir said he was closely following the course of investigations. The accident resulted in the death of 34-year-old Abdulrahman Al-Ghamidi and serious injury to his pregnant wife and two children. The man's wife, who was five months pregnant, sustained severe contusions and abrasions and doctors say her right hand may be amputated. The couple's 9-year-old son was in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit while their four-year-old daughter was in stable condition, said Majed Al-Shatti, spokesman of Al-Baha Health Affairs. Dr. Abdullateef Aal Al-Sheikh, the Hai'a chief, said he would ensure an impartial inquiry into the Baljurashi incident. While conveying his condolences to the bereaved family members, he expressed deep sorrow and pain at the unfortunate accident. The Hai'a chief denied leveling accusations against any party, as investigations were still under way. He said opening an investigation did not mean the Hai'a would abandon its members who allegedly caused the accident. “We cannot blame anyone specifically because the authorities concerned are conducting investigations now and nothing has been proved yet. We don't know whether it was actually a hot pursuit or something else had happened,” he told Al-Watan newspaper in his first press statement following the incident. “The emir of Al-Baha is well-known for being just, farsighted and wise. The case is in honest hands and justice will be served,” he said. Al-Sheikh said he had instructed the president of the Hai'a in Al-Baha region not to interfere in the investigations so that the case could take its “correct and just course.” He denied the formation of a Hai'a panel to investigate the incident, saying he would not take any measures unless the picture became clear. It was alleged that the car chase followed an argument between Al-Ghamdi and a Hai'a member over the high volume of his car stereo. Al-Sheikh said even if it was proved that the man had raised the volume of his stereo, it was no justification for chasing him. He emphasized directives issued to all heads of Hai'a branches and personnel against pursuing suspects. Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Hatlani, chief of Al-Baha police, said the results of the investigations would be announced within 48 hours. Meanwhile, relatives of the victim refused to receive his body from the hospital morgue before a decision was reached in the case following a neutral inquiry. – SG
