Lankans performing illegal abortions in Jeddah

Two Sri Lankan men and a woman were arrested and charged with performing illegal abortions at a house in the Nuzlah district in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Gazette said.

It said the operators provided services mainly for the Asians in Jeddah.

The bust followed cases of discarded foetuses and new-borns found in trash containers on Jeddah streets.

The police followed a tip-off that led them to a taxi driver, who was in charge of picking up and bringing patients to the clinic. When the taxi driver was identified, a plainclothed police officer penetrated the Sri Lankan ring and had a short taxi ride with the driver.

As the officer was acting somewhat absent-mindedly, the driver asked him what was occupying his mind.

“I am in deep trouble, my lover is pregnant. I don’t know what to do,” the police officer said. “I can pay what it takes but want to get rid of the problem,” he told the driver.

“You know. I think I can help you but I need your cellphone number,” the driver said.

The deal was sealed. The following day, the man called the police officer and told him that he was ready to help, asking him to bring the ‘pregnant’ woman for quick treatment.

They set a place and time to meet. The driver brought an accomplice, who turned out to be a hospital worker, to monitor the area while the deal was being finalised.

When they were waiting for the officer, the police arrested them and raided the clinic.

Inside the house, a woman suspected of conducting abortions was arrested.  Medical waste and hazardous materials were seized.

The hospital worker claimed to be the woman’s husband but couldn’t show any documentation, the police said. Alcohol was also found.

A Jeddah Police spokesman said investigations continued to find out more about the aborted foetuses and patient information. The police were also investigating whether the three were linked to previous cases.
 
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