With reference to the small item "Pickpockets nabbed inside Grand Mosque" (Aug. 7), these pickpockets should be given the harshest punishment. We have heard people losing their iqamas and driving licenses to pickpockets. Imagine the plight of their victims. Losing these documents is a nightmare for an expat in the Kingdom. Arslan Vistro, Online response II. The police have identified the pickpockets as Afghans who "robbed Umrah performers following Taraweeh prayers". Although we are taught to have compassion, criminals should also be taught a lesson. Police said that over SR10,000 in cash and other items like wallets were found in their possessions. This proves that they did the crime not out of financial difficulties but that stealing has become their livelihood. Their hands should be chopped off! Jawad, Online response III. Cut their hands off to teach them a lesson and to send a strong message to other criminals that crime does not pay. Picking other people's pockets is a deliberate act and not a circumstantial crime or crime committed out of self-defense or of necessity. Jawad, Online response
