ABHA — The family of a young Saudi who died in the Sabyah region has accused officers at the Tathleeth police checkpoint of causing his death. The family refused to receive Abu Al-Hassan Muzafar's body unless an investigation into his death was completed. Officers at the checkpoint were accused of using violence that led to Muzafar's death. Spokesman for the Asir Governorate Awad Bin Mohammed Al-Saeed said an investigation committee formed by Asir Governor Prince Faisal Bin Khaled was still continuing its work and had not yet submitted its report. Ali Al-Ashhal, the victim's uncle, said his nephew, who was traveling with his mother and grandmother, was stopped at the checkpoint on May 22 while on his way to Riyadh. He said police forcefully pulled him out of the car suspecting that he was smuggling drugs. The uncle said after searching Muzafar the police wanted to search the women, but when he objected to this they hit him and he fell down. “My nephew was badly beaten in the head and chest, causing his death,” he said. The uncle said though the medical report showed he sustained mouth injuries and head fractures, police allegedly presented a forged medical report that claimed Muzafar died from a drugs overdose. He said his sister, Muzafar's mother, pleaded with the police to stop beating him but to no avail. “He was taken to the investigation room in a very bad condition and he immediately collapsed there. A few moments later he died,” the uncle said. Al-Ashhal said when police discovered that the victim had died, they changed his blood-stained clothes, took him to the hospital and asked the family to receive his body. He said the family refused to receive the body without a comprehensive medical report by a forensic doctor giving the exact causes of death. He added that they met with Prince Faisal, who conveyed his condolences to them and ordered the setting up of an investigation committee comprising five government departments to ascertain the causes of Muzafar's death. He said the Emir also ordered that the body be moved from Sabyah to Asir general hospital. Muzafar was on his way to Riyadh to get treatment for his mother at King Khaled Eye Hospital. He is survived by his wife and five children. — SG/Okaz
