ALKHOBAR, 9 October 2006 — A Saudi student, named Aiyed, who went to Japan on a scholarship from Saudi Aramco has disappeared mysteriously without any trace for four months, reported the Al-Yaum newspaper.

The Saudi Embassy in Tokyo was alerted to the student’s disappearance after his mother contacted the authorities there to inquire about her son.

Aiyed, whose family name was not given, has not returned to his place of residence in Japan, nor has he been to university or contacted his family in the Eastern Province, according to the newspaper.

Investigations have revealed that the Saudi student contacted his classmates before he disappeared and expressed fear of poorly performing in exams.

Saudi Ambassador Faisal ibn Tarad said that the embassy is in direct contact with the Japanese police that have launched an investigation into the case.

The Japanese authorities are tracking the use of Aiyed’s credit card in order to trace him. This is the first such case involving a Saudi student in Japan.