Six persons are being questioned over the robbery of an illegal “secret gold workshop” in Al-Kandara on Wednesday. The workshop, which was being operated by persons who had overstayed pilgrim visas and were in breach of labor laws, reportedly melted down gold to remake jewelry, and it is believed that the six suspects posed as police officers in the hope that the illegal status of the staff and their activity would prevent them from informing the authorities. The assailants reportedly entered the site and locked workers in a room before making away with large numbers of gold bracelets, but upon discovering the robbery the workers resolved to inform the police who later identified one suspect attempting to sell bracelets at highly reduced prices. Questioning of the suspect led to a confession and the arrest of a further five individuals. “The stolen materials were recovered and we are seeking to establish the group's connection to other similar crimes,” a police spokesman said.
