from P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Saudi Arabia (MB)
Dammam, Mar 1: A remarkable breakthrough was once again achieved by Dammam police officials as they arrested one of the main co-accused in connection with the murder case of Sheikh Riyaz Sheikh Abdullah (Iftikhar), who was brutally stabbed to death in Dammam last month.
The main accused Ahmed Mut’afa Abdullah Al Dossary and other two Saudi nationals; Najbullah and others from Bangladesh have been nabbed within six hours of the incident.
Sheikh Riyaz alias Iftikhar
However, the main Bangladeshi associate accused, named Ronie, managed to flee the scene soon after the occurrence of the murder of Riyaz. The police had spread a wide dragnet to apprehend him after his involvement in the crime was confirmed. It is reported that his role was in abetting and instigating the crime.
A Dammam source, who chose to remain anonymous in the interest of security, said that the police was on a rigorous search for the said accused when his involvement in the murder was prima facie established. It is said that the accused was in Jeddah, who planned to leave for his home country thorough illegally. The source said that the proclamation of abscondence with his photo as a culprit in the case of the culpable homicide amounting to murder of Riyaz was being flashed by the police in key places including the International Airports in the Kingdom.
The accused was arrested in Jeddah and brought to Dammam South Police station (Junubiyah) and kept for investigation. When Daijiworld asked a close relative of the deceased, he said “We really appreciate the quick action of the police and the necessary documents would be handed over to us after the completion of all legal and official formalities concerned to the incident.”.
Sheikh Riyaz was a Mangalorean and was here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over twelve years. He was in the sales field of electronic items in the eastern province of the Kingdom. Last month, he was stabbed in daylight eleven times on his gullet, abdomen, neckline and other parts of the body that caused excessive bleeding and his death in Dammam, the commercial hub of the eastern province.
His funeral rites were held in Dammam 91-cemetery after the initial formalities were completed by the concerned officials within the jurisdiction of Dammam South police station. His family circle, relatives and friends have come under a deep shock after the incident. He was reportedly the sole breadwinner for his family.
The police officials of the station have won high appreciation their promptness in the investigation process without any let-up. Serious inquisitions about all aspects of the incident are underway. The prime accused Ahmed Mut’afa Abdullah Al Dossary is said to have confessed to the crime in the station during the investigation.
The case has now been before the Dammam Shari’ah Court for the trial, and if the guilt of commission of the murder is proved, then the severe capital punishment will be awarded to the accused according to the gravity of the crime as per the Shariah Law of the Kingdom.
It is only because of the stringent operation of the law that the crime rate in the Kingdom is considerably low when compared to other parts of the world.
Earlier despatches: