Neom: Saudi forces 'told to kill' to clear land for eco-city - BBC News

An ex-intelligence officer tells the BBC he was permitted to shoot dead those resisting eviction.

1 day agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ShutterstockImage caption, The Line is at the heart of Saudi Arabia's mega-project, NeomBy Merlyn Thomas & Lara El GibalyBBC Verify and BBC Eye InvestigationsSaudi authorities have permitted the use of lethal force to clear land for a futuristic desert city being built by dozens of Western companies, an ex-intelligence officer has told the BBC.

Col Rabih Alenezi says he was ordered to evict villagers from a tribe in the Gulf state to make way for The Line, part of the Neom eco-project.

One of them was subsequently shot and killed for protesting against eviction.

The Saudi government and Neom management refused to comment.

Neom, Saudi Arabia's $500bn (£399bn) eco-region, is part of its Saudi Vision 2030 strategy which aims to diversify the kingdom's economy away from oil.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68945445

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