Saudi officials ordered a manhunt in Riyadh following a shocking video of a woman being brutally mugged by a gang of men that circulated on social media. The clip, believed to be taken by a passerby, captures the gang taking away the woman’s handbag and escaping on motorbikes, causing public outcry and alarm at large.
Replies, the Riyadh police have sent special units to locate and arrest the suspects. “We are taking this issue with utmost gravity,” a police spokesperson said. “Resident and visitors’ safety is our first priority, and such violent acts will not be allowed.” The nearby businesspersons also reviewed their surveillance footage as part of the investigation.
The incident has renewed demands for more patrolling and security in public spaces, particularly around commercial areas and areas with high foot traffic. Social media users throughout Saudi Arabia have inundated online spaces with solidarity messages for the victim and are calling on others to remain vigilant. Many were thankful that the woman managed to escape unscathed, but cautioned that the audacity of the attack indicates a serious public safety concern.
Saudi Arabia has experienced a dramatic drop in crime in recent years due to sophisticated surveillance equipment and neighborhood policing. That being said, authorities assured that any escalation of street crime would be countered by rapid and severe punishment. As the probe heats up, police are calling on the public to come forward with tips and suspicious information via official hotlines.
