Coronavirus: Woman arrested in Saudi Arabia for sharing video inciting public to disobey curfew
She could face jail or fines of up to SR3 million
Dubai: A young Saudi woman has been arrested for sharing a video of herself appearing to incite the public against a nationwide curfew, according to Saudi Arabic daily Okaz newspaper.
The curfew, which started on Monday from 7pm to 6am, was imposed on the orders of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, as part of the kingdom’s stringent precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Following the royal orders, the Ministry of Interior warned the public against violation of the curfew and said that legal action will be taken against violators.
The woman was arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution in compliance with the ministry’s legal action against violators, the newspaper quoted a source at the public prosecution as saying.
The public prosecution has launched an immediate investigation into the woman, who could face charges of disrupting the public order that may lead her to land in jail for up to five years and a fine of up to SR3 million.
Under the criminal procedures law, harming or disturbing the public order is a punishable crime that may leads its perpetrator to land in jail along with a hefty fine.
The ministry and the public prosecution called on community members to act responsibly and be fully aware and vigilant against what is being circulated through social media platforms, and stick to the ethics of exemplary citizenship by fully complying with the curfew for everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
Judicial authorities do not show leniency towards inciters who instigate the public against royal orders and state laws.
Security authorities arrested an expatriate resident in Saudi Arabia who shared a video of himself on social media pretending to drink an antiseptic disinfectant liquid, claiming it is a healthy disinfectant liquid. The man was referred to the public prosecution for legal action against him.
Two days ago, authorities warned of violating the curfew indicating that visolators of the curfew may face a fine of up to SR10,000 in the first time. The fine will be doubled for those who are found to be repeating the same violation, while those who repeat it for the third time could face jail not exceeding 20 days.
The curfew follows the increasing number of infections in the largest country in the Gulf, which reported the first coronavirus death on Tuesday. The kingdom also reported 205 new cases, believed to be the highest single-day toll of infections since the outbreak of coronavirus, bringing the total to 767.
Authorities are urging citizens to stay at home during the coming period, especially during the curfew, and to not leave their homes except in emergencies and extreme necessity. The strict measures aim to safeguard the public health.