Egypt’s foreign ministry follows up on case of forensic doctor shot in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim

CAIRO – 29 July 2022: Egypt’s Foreign Ministry affirmed on Thursday following up on the case of an Egyptian forensic pathologist who got shot in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qassim province.

Egyptian doctor Ayman Abdel Salam, 60, was shot by three bullets in the chest and had his hand attacked by a cleaver, the Egyptian Ministry of Immigration said in a statement earlier this week.

The doctor underwent the required bullet removal surgeries and is currently in a good health condition, the emigration ministry said at the time, affirming providing all forms of support to the doctor.

Saudi authorities arrested the attacker, the emigration ministry said, affirming following up on the doctor’s case until he leaves hospital and receives all his legal rights.

Abdel Salam was attacked as he performed an autopsy for the attacker’s brother as per an order by the Saudi prosecution, who died with a criminal suspicion, the emigration ministry added.

Minister of Immigration Nabila Makram extended greetings to Abdel Salam for providing all forms of support to the Egyptian community in his area.

“All relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are following up on the developments of this painful incident given that the assaulted Egyptian doctor is one of the Saudi health ministry cadres, director of the poison center, and a forensic pathologist performing his official work duties,” the emigration ministry noted.

In its statement, the foreign ministry said it is following up on the case of the doctor, Ayman Abdel Salam, through its consulate in Riyadh round the clock and is conducting continuous contacts in this regard.

The consulate also visited the injured Egyptian citizen to follow up on his health condition, the statement said.

Egyptian Consul General Tarek El-Meligy is constantly following up on the developments of the case with the officials of the Saudi ministries of foreign affairs and interior and the Emirate of Al-Qassim Region, the ministry said.

The statement affirmed that the Saudi officials are making appreciable efforts in dealing with the case.

Earlier in July, a 33-year-old Egyptian pharmacist, Ahmed Hatem, died after being shot by a Saudi woman in Al-Jawf province in northern Saudi Arabia after he refused to give her medicine without a doctor’s prescription.

The Saudi police announced on the following day arresting the woman and referring her to the general prosecution.

Hatem was shot by two bullets in his back and then was transferred to a hospital, where he passed away on arrival, a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower said.