The Commission for Investigation and General Prosecution (CIP) has asked the General Court in Makkah to punish a businessman who allegedly attacked and threatened to kill the head of the city's Encroachments Committee. The businessman allegedly attacked the head of the committee, Saud Al-Shaibani, because the committee had blocked the sale of land in Makkah. The businessman is accused of trying to sell land without the proper documentation. Al-Shaibani confirmed that the court is looking into the case. He said the businessman tried to deny the incident, but he has witnesses to testify the attack and threatening. Al-Shaibani emphasized that such acts will never intimidate the committee and it will take action against anyone who encroaches on the state's properties and tries to exploit the gullibility of citizens. The Commission described the businessman's alleged actions as “disgraceful”. An informed source said the incident was sparked by the committee stopping the sale of land in the southern part of the city. According to the source, the businessman has allegedly been marketing plots of land without title deeds. It is also claimed that he managed to sell some of the plots to citizens without official documents. The committee had ordered that the fences built around the sold plots be torn down. The order of the committee had apparently embarrassed the businessman before his clients. After trying unsuccessfully to stop the fences from being demolished, he then rushed to the committee's office at the emirate and allegedly attacked Al-Shaibani with his fists. He was also brandishing a knife, it has been claimed. The committee's staff members, who were present at the office, intervened and stopped the fight. The businessman threatened that he would kill Al-Shaibani if the demolitions did not stop. He then fled the scene. Al-Shaibani reported the matter to officials at the emirate, who referred the case to the CIP. After interrogating him, the CIP charged him with attacking a government official. The General Court in Makkah is expected to pass its verdict in the next two weeks.
