We have long covered the abuses of the Saudi Arabian religious police known as the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. These are the religious fanatics who reportedly forced girls back into a burning school in Mecca because they were not sufficiently covered in public — 15 died as a result. When they are not apparently burning girls, they are forcing women to cover up “attractive eyes” or shutting down dinosaur exhibits or shutting down lingerie stores or arresting women having coffee. When it comes to their own crimes, however, they appear less committed to harsh Sharia punishment. A young Saudi was killed in a car chase last week trying to flee the religious police. After he crashed, the police fled the scene.

The chase took place in Riyadh and was apparently captured on a video. The Haia, as the police are known, was seen by witnesses. They were chasing two men in a car when it overturned. Witnesses say that the Haia deliberately bumped the small car and caused it to swerve off the road and fall off a bridge.

The dead man is reported to be Nasser al-Otaibi, 24.. His brother Saud, 22, was taken to intensive care with serious injuries.

The head of the Saudi religious police, Sheikh Abdul Latif Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh attended the funeral and promised not to interfere with the investigation.

In the meantime, people on social media are demanding the same harsh Sharia punishment that the Haia routinely imposes on others. Indeed, friends say that the men were afraid of being abused by the hands of the Haia when they decided to try to get away in their car.