Friday, 15 March, 2002, 12:19 GMT
Saudi police 'stopped' fire rescue
Saudi Arabia's religious police stopped
schoolgirls from leaving a blazing building because they were not
wearing correct Islamic dress, according to Saudi newspapers.
In a rare criticism of the kingdom's powerful "mutaween" police, the
Saudi media has accused them of hindering attempts to save 15 girls who
died in the fire on Monday.
About 800 pupils were inside the school in the holy city of Mecca when the tragedy occurred.
 15 girls died in the blaze and more than 50 others were injured |
According to the al-Eqtisadiah daily, firemen confronted police after
they tried to keep the girls inside because they were not wearing the
headscarves and abayas (black robes) required by the kingdom's strict
interpretation of Islam.
One witness said he saw three policemen "beating young girls to prevent
them from leaving the school because they were not wearing the abaya".
