Whodunnit?? Mecca´s mysterious case of the hidden haji

The decomposed body of a pilgrim who was on Haj four years ago was found behind a mosque in Muzdalifah on Saturday.

A security source told Makkah daily that a worker found the body and notified security patrols, who attended the site along with forensics teams and investigators.

He added the body was completely decomposed and forensics officers found a bracelet next to it indicating it belonged to a pilgrim who came for Haj four years ago.

The bracelet also includes the name of the Haj guide with whom the pilgrim was registered. The body was transported to a mortuary pending the result of the investigations.

Meanwhile, Col. Fareeh Al-Hamzi, commander of Al-Aziziyah Police support forces, said the crime rate in the Holy Sites declined significantly compared to last year.

Security officers positioned in the Holy Sites caught some workers selling fake sacrificial meat coupons to pilgrims and were arrested.

The officers also apprehended fake Haj service providers and a few thieves who dressed in white clothes and went around stealing pilgrims’ possessions.

Al-Hamzi thanked the officers for their vigilance and hard work, which he said helped reduce crime.