A Saudi citizen was killed and another critically injured after their car smashed into a cement wall during a chase by the Haia.
The incident occurred at 1 a.m. on Wednesday. Both men were in their mid-20s.
The car plunged from the King Fahd Road overpass onto Imam Mohammed bin Saud Road, landing near the Riyadh Gallery Mall. The Haia members fled the scene, but the chase had been recorded on one of the passenger’s phone.
Ya Hala, a Rotana Khalijia show, discussed the issue, interviewed witnesses and broadcast the video footage live.
Ali Al-Olayani, editor in chief of the show, attempted to contact a spokesman for the General Presidency for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice for comment, but a commission spokesman said he would not be able to provide a statement until the investigation is over.
The spokesman also said that it is against the law for members of the presidency to speak to the media if police are involved in the case.
Witnesses said that other drivers on the road had tried to stop the Haia from injuring the men, but that they continued ramming into the car until it careened over the bridge.
Yazeed Ahmed, an eyewitness, said the incident should not tarnish the image of the presidency as a whole.
“I saw a Ford and a Toyota belonging to the religious policemen speeding in the main streets,” he said. “I then noticed they were chasing after another car. It all happened so fast that we didn’t see anything except for the Hyundai falling off the bridge and the religious police escape.”
According to another witness, Hasan Abdulrahman, the Toyota struck their car more than one time because the front bumper of the Toyota fell off the first time they bumped into the Hyundai.
“The man died on the spot as the religious police fled, running a red light in the process,” he said.
Witnesses said the chase occurred because commission members believed the men were drunk. However, an autopsy determined there was no alcohol in the victim’s blood, according to local media.
Yasser Al-Maarek, an opinion writer, said the incident was not accidental.
“A car with a government logo under a religious umbrella is supposed to be a friend and protector of Saudi society. Such organizations are not supposed to chase people on public roads and kill them. This amounts to street terrorism,” he said
Hussain Al-Sharief, director of the National Society for Human Rights in Jeddah, said that government officials must commit to local laws and avoid violations. “Violators will be punished when the investigation concludes,” he said.
Arab News tried contacting the Haia for comment to no avail.
Saudi man dies following car chase by religious policemen
