Residents of Abha have been growing increasingly concerned at foreign workers gathering in the town center at weekends, leading, they say, to unacceptable noise and the proliferation of pornographic materials, alcohol and drugs. “I've been living here for four years and have seen the police and the Hai'a (the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) in the area lots of times arresting foreigners for selling pornography,” said one resident who works at King Khaled University. “They also block cars and cause traffic jams.” Students from the town's College of Tourism and Hotel Management accommodated in a central hotel are also upset. “The noise from outside is annoying, and it goes on after midnight, making it particularly hard during exam times,” one said. Bandar Aal Mufreh, the Asir spokesman for the Haia, said his organization was aware of the situation. “We have observed various offenses such as copyright violations and drugs-related crimes being committed by these groups gathering in town and we have dealt with them accordingly,” Aal Mufrih said. “We have arrested dozens for promoting vice, most of them Arabs and other foreigners working illegally.” Asir Police spokesman Abdullah Al-Qarni warned that the location was “constantly monitored”.
