Saudi Arabia 2007 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety

Middle East / N. Africa - Saudi Arabia
16 Apr 2007

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Overall Crime and Safety

Crime 

Incidents of crime in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia remain at a low level. Although the Saudi Arabian Government (SAG) does not provide crime data, non-violent street crime does occur. There were increasing reports of muggings and purse snatchings in the Eastern Province during the last half of 2006. Infrequent by U.S. standards, petty theft and pocket picking are seen predominantly in areas highly populated by third-country nationals. Foreigners are more likely to experience problems if perceived by Saudi citizens as not being observant of Saudi Arabia's conservative standards of conduct. In such instances, the foreigner may experience harassment, and may even be pursued and assaulted by the offended Saudi.

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by a king chosen from and by members of the al Saud family. As the premiere governing head of the monarchy, the king appoints members of two advisory councils which, in conjunction with royal decrees issued by the king, determine and oversee the country's Islamist-based laws and extremely conservative customs and social practices. Saudi authorities do not permit criticism of Islam or the royal family. The government prohibits the public practice of religions other than Islam. Non-Muslims suspected of violating these restrictions have been jailed.

Both men and women are expected to dress conservatively and the Saudi Embassy in Washington advises women traveling to Saudi Arabia to dress in a conservative fashion, wearing ankle-length dresses with long sleeves, and not to wear trousers in public. In many areas of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh and the central part of the Kingdom, Mutawwa'in (religious police) pressure women to wear a full-length black covering known as an Abaya and to cover their heads. Most women wear an Abaya and carry a head scarf to avoid being accosted. Women who appear to be Arab or Asian origin, especially those presumed to be Muslims, face greater risk of being confronted if not properly attired. Some Mutawwa'in try to enforce the rule that men and women who are beyond childhood years may not mingle in public, unless they are family or close relatives. Mutawwa'in may ask to see proof that a couple is married or related. Women who are arrested for socializing with a man who is not a relative may be charged with prostitution. Some restaurants, particularly fast-food outlets, have refused to serve women who are not accompanied by a close male relative.

In addition, many restaurants no longer have a "family section" in which women are permitted to eat. These restrictions are not always posted, and in some cases women violating this policy have been arrested. This is more common in Riyadh and the more conservative central Nejd region. 

Safety: Road Conditions and Road Hazards: 

Short-term male visitors may drive using their U.S. driver's license in Saudi Arabia. American men employed in Saudi Arabia should obtain a local driver's license from the Department of Traffic Police. Women are not allowed to drive automobiles or ride bicycles on public roads throughout the Kingdom. 

Traffic safety and road conditions vary greatly throughout Saudi Arabia. In the larger cities, roadways are often multi-lane and well-constructed, with adequate road markings and lighting. However, in rural areas, road surfaces range from pavement to sand and gravel, and lighting and road markings may be non-existent. Traffic accidents are a significant hazard and driving habits are generally poor. The common denominator among drivers throughout the Kingdom is speed. Traffic accidents involving high speed is the rule, with many automobiles being driven recklessly by minors or adults with little driving experience or training. In the event of a traffic accident resulting in personal injury, all persons involved (if not in the hospital) will be taken to the local police station. Drivers are likely to be held for several days until responsibility is determined and any reparations paid. In many cases, all drivers involved in the accident are held in custody, regardless of fault. Those involved in an accident should immediately contact their sponsor and the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate for assistance.

Political Violence

The threat Americans face from terrorism is a part of life in the Middle East; U.S. diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia continue to receive reports that suggest terrorist actions against U.S. private and official interests in Saudi Arabia remains a strong possibility. Terrorist groups continue to target housing compounds and other establishments where westerners may be located, as was seen in the murderous bombings of three Riyadh housing compounds were westerners resided in May 2003. SAG facilities are also targets as demonstrated by the December 29, 2004 attempted bombing of the Ministry of Interior. In addition to car bombs and armed assaults involving multiple gunmen against such facilities, terrorists have used ambush attacks to kidnap and/or assassinate individual westerners. On February 24, 2006, there was a terrorist attack on a Saudi oil facility in Abqaiq in the Eastern Province. There were no U.S. citizens or westerners injured in the attack, however.

Regarding organized crime and civil unrest, historically neither have been of specific concern in Saudi Arabia, with the exception of four small- to medium-size demonstrations that took place in the Eastern Province city of Qatif during the 2006 Hezbollah/Israeli conflict.

Post-specific Concerns

As a result of the continuing terrorist threat in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General in the Kingdom became one-year, unaccompanied posts effective August 12, 2004. On December 6, 2004, there was an armed attack on U.S. Consulate Jeddah, resulting in casualties among the non-American staff and damage to the consulate facilities. On May 12, 2006, a lone gunman fired shots at U.S. Consulate Jeddah and again on December 7, 2006 gunfire erupted near the U.S. Consulate compound in Jeddah, although whether the target of the latest shooting was the U.S. facility remains undetermined. Due to such targeted attacks against American facilities and citizens, resulting in deaths, injuries and kidnappings, and the continuing serious threat to their safety while in Saudi Arabia, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. Those officially on assignment, or on temporary duty to the U.S. Government in Saudi Arabia must be housed at Regional Security Office-approved hotels or on a compound where official Americans reside. Cellular telephones, with preprogrammed emergency numbers, must be carried at all times and all travel off the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh where the U.S. Embassy and official housing is located must be undertaken with armored vehicles and drivers. This policy also is in place for all travel by official U.S. personnel in Jeddah and Dhahran.

Police Detention or Harassment

Islamic law is the basis of Saudi law, customs and practices which are strictly enforced by SAG police authorities. People violating Saudi Arabia's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, imprisoned or even executed. Suspects can be detained for months without being charged or afforded legal counsel, pending a final disposition of a criminal case. Penalties for the import, manufacture, possession and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs are severe and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences, fines, public flogging, and/or deportation. The penalty for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia is death. Saudi officials make no exceptions.

Customs inspections at ports of entry are thorough in finding drug and alcohol violators. Throughout the Kingdom, Saudi law enforcement efforts include large numbers of high profile uniformed and plain-clothes officers, including Mutawwa'in (religious police), working both openly and covertly throughout communities. In the event an American citizen becomes a victim of crime, he or she is strongly encouraged to immediately contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate for assistance. Saudi Arabian police have detained Americans who are viewed even as potential witnesses to a crime. American witnesses have been held without charges or access to legal counsel, and with limited or delayed consular access. During the investigative stage of an investigation, which can take months, persons viewed as witnesses may have personal effects confiscated. Even upon release from Saudi custody, potential witnesses may be prohibited from leaving the country until the investigation is completed.

Where to Turn For Assistance

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General have no standing in Saudi courts to obtain leniency for an American convicted of alcohol or drug offenses. However, American citizens may contact American Citizen Services for assistance in Saudi Arabia:

U.S. Embassy Riyadh
Located at Collector Road M, Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter
International mailing address: P.O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
U.S. Postal Service address: U.S. Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307
Telephone number: (966) (1) 488-3800
FAX number: (966)¬(1) 483-0773

U.S. Consulate General Dhahran
Located between Aramco Headquarters and old Dhahran Airport at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Highway exit
International mailing address: P.O. Box 38955, Doha-Dhahran 31942
U.S. Postal Service address: Unit 66803, APO AE 0988-6803
Telephone number: (966) (3) 330-3200
FAX number: (966)(3) 330-0464

U.S. Consulate General Jeddah
Located on Palestine Road, Ruwais
International mailing address: P.O. Box 149, Jeddah
U.S. Postal Service address: Unit 62112, APO AE 09811-2112
Telephone number: (966) (2) 667-0080
FAX number: (966) (2) 669-3078 or 669-3098

Medical Emergencies

Good, modern medical care and medicines are available in several hospitals and health centers in the major cities of Saudi Arabia, but only adequate medical care may be available in the outlying areas. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. American citizens are encouraged to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling to Saudi Arabia to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.

Contact Information: The following are frequently utilized medical facilities in Riyadh (used country-wide):

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
Telephone number: (966) (1) 464-7272
EMERGENCY NUMBER: (966) (1) 442-3838
Poison Control: (966) (1) 442-7604(Saturday-Wednesday only)

With the reputation of being the premier hospital and referral center in the Kingdom, King Faisal Specialist Hospital specializes in treatment of serious life-threatening conditions, i.e. cardiac arrest, trauma due to motor vehicle accidents, head injuries, etc. Its Poison Control Service is also the best in the Kingdom.

Kingdom Hospital
Telephone number: (966) (1) 275-1111
EMERGENCIES: dial ext. 1 or ext. 5301 

As one of the newest facilities in Riyadh, Kingdom Hospital has a 24-hour emergency department best suited for non-life threatening medical conditions or injuries, i.e. broken bones, lacerations, etc. Kingdom Hospital also has evening private clinics.

King Abdulaziz National Guard Hospital
Telephone number: (966) (1) 252-0088
EMERGENCIES: dial ext. 3332
Poison Control: (966) (1) 252-0088 ext. 2200 (24-hours)

This is the best hospital suited for mass casualty scenarios in the Kingdom. This hospital has evening and daytime private clinics.

Air Ambulance Services:

SOS International
Telephone number: 0044-2080-762-8133

Air Response
Telephone number: 001-303-858-9967

Air Medical Services
Telephone number: 001-305-359-4730

Air Ambulance Network
Telephone number: 001-727-934-3999

Travel Precautions

U.S. Citizens who travel to or remain in Saudi Arabia despite the most recent issued travel warning are strongly urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran. This may be accomplished through the State Department's travel registration website, http://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ in order to be included in the U.S. government's Warden System network. Updated travel and security information for Saudi Arabia is issued periodically via the Warden network. From time to time, the U.S. government in Saudi Arabia may restrict the travel of official Americans or suspend public services for security reasons. In those instances, the U.S. government will keep the local American community apprised through the Warden System and make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Warden messages can be found on the U.S. Embassy website, http//riyadh.usembassy.gov.  Updated information on travel and security in Saudi Arabia may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling, 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada or via regular toll, 1-202-501-4444. Additional travel information may also be obtained from the Department's Consular Information Sheet for Saudi Arabia, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and Middle East Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov.  


OSAC Information 


The Riyadh Country Council meets regularly.  For more information, contact the Regional Security Office or OSAC's Washington office.