Probe into Saudi businessman’s murder continuing

Manama: Police in Saudi Arabia have questioned an Arab man who sold honey and a personal driver as the inquiry into the murder of well-known businessman Ahmad Saeed Al Amoudi is continuing.

The police also questioned the driver of a taxi who reportedly drove the honey man away from the businessman’s house.

The three men were picked up by the surveillance cameras of the dead businessman’s neighbours after the police found out that the victim’s own CCTVs were not working, Saudi daily Makkah reported on Monday.

According to the cameras, the 57-year-old businessman who owns an exchange company left his house in the Red Sea city of Jeddah at dawn on Friday and returned to his villa after one hour.

The honey man was recorded leaving the villa hours later, wearing the traditional Saudi white thobe and covering his face with a ghutra, the typical headdress worn by men in the Gulf. He was carrying a large bag and rode in a taxi that he had reportedly called to pick him up.

The investigators were able to reach the honey man through the taxi driver who gave them the information about the ride.

However, the honey man denied any wrongdoing and explained his presence at the victim’s villa by saying he was there to offer samples of the honey products to Al Amoudi.

The investigations revealed that the businessman had withdrawn large amounts of cash in dollars and British Pounds at the weekend three weeks before he was killed. However, he deposited the money back into his account at the beginning of the week.

Police suspect there was a deal between the businessman and another man to convert the cash into Saudi Riyals at a rate that is lower than in the market.

Initial reports in Saudi Arabia claimed that $11 million had been stolen from the victim’s home. However, the figure has not been formally confirmed.

The investigators are still scrutinising the telephone conversations and calls to determine motives, the daily added.

According to the forensic doctor, Al Amoudii was strangled before his hands and feet were tied to fit him inside a plastic bag.