Saudi battles expat crimewave

TOO LATE: A fingerprint system could have reduced the crime rate if adopted sooner, the report claimed.

A fingerprint system for foreigners who leave or are deported from Saudi Arabia was introduced too late to prevent an expat crimewave, a report said on Tuesday.

The study undertaken by security experts for the kingdom’s interior minister revealed a substantial increase in crimes involving foreigners, reported UAE daily Gulf News.

“Had [the system] been implemented earlier, it would have been helpful in reducing the crime rate to a great extent and preventing the return of those with criminal backgrounds to the kingdom to engage in their illegal activities,” the report said.

According to the report, the majority of crimes were drug-related, followed by theft, infiltration, alcohol use, visa forgery and ‘immoral act,’ Gulf news reported.

Mecca Province bore the brunt of crimes by expats, with 47.4%, followed by Riyadh, with 28%. Yemenis committed 21.09 % of all crimes by foreigners, followed by Pakistanis at 18.6% and Indians at 10.02%.

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Expats battle SAUDI crimewave.
Posted by Yassir Hameed, Riyadh, Pakistan on Wednesday 7 May 2008 at 12:18 UAE time


I have been living in Saudi Arabia for quite some time now and have come to know that if you are a Saudi, all must hail you and no one can ask you for what is rightfully his. These pathetic Saudis (another name for a donkey) do not consider a Saudi kafeel beating up his maid black & blue a crime. These Saudis do not consider a Saudi kafeel not paying salaries to his expat labourer for 9 months a crime. If a man, who left his home and family to come to this wretched country to support his family, is not paid in 9 months, do you think he will kiss the feet of his kafeel? No, he will do what every man of dignity and honour will do: take by force what is rightfully his. The above article does not explain the nature of the crimes. Let me tell you that majority of the crimes are against Saudi kafeels and involve stealing or beating up the kafeel (although a few have killed their kafeels). And for all those people who think that the Saudi Labour Court is here to uphold your rights and protect you interests, that is all a lie. Saudi Labour Court is here to protect Saudi kafeels and princes only, and I have experienced this first hand.

I started a trading company under the name of my kafeel who did not take any interest in the company. I spent 3 years trying to grow the company and the kafeel did not take any interest. When the MY company started making good profits and the reputation of MY company started to grow, the SAUDI kafeel took over, ceased all company accounts and gave me final exit. I went to the Saudi Labour Court and pleaded my case. But since the company was under the name of the kafeel(expatriates cannot own businesses in Saudi Arabia under Saudi Labour Law), my case was thrown out. Now I have sent my family back home and I am also going back to Pakistan by the end of the month broke and exhausted. I wish the worst for this country.

Regards.

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