Inmate tries to sever guard’s head at asylum

A killer admitted to a psychiatry hospital in Saudi Arabia for possible mental problems after cutting off his brother’s head a few years ago tried to do the same to his guard after persuading him he is haunted and that he can treat him.

The 40-year-old Saudi prisoner at the asylum in the western town of Taif told the guard, in his 20s, that he could be gripped by jinn (ghosts) and that he can treat him given his long experience in exorcism.

After accepting the prisoner’s offer, the Saudi guard gave him the requested knife, opened his cell and handed himself over to the killer.

“He asked him to close his eyes and relax….he then brought the knife on the guard’s neck and tried to sever his head,” Sabq newspaper said.

“The guard was saved by the other guards in the last minute…he was rushed to hospital in serious condition after his throat and some veins were cut off.”