COVID-19: Man held for posting video showing himself drinking disinfectant
Saudi Arabia calls on public to be responsible during these challenging times
Dubai: A Saudi resident has shared a video of himself on social media apparently drinking an antiseptic disinfectant liquid, claiming it was to protect against the coronavirus.
He was immediately arrested and referred to the Pubic Prosecution, the Okaz daily reported, quoting an official from the prosecution service.
The court is yet to initiate any procedure against him, he added.
“What has been done by the defendant is a crime by law and Sharia. Drinking the disinfectant liquid may lead to one’s death and the video may encourage children to imitate his behaviour. It is also a cybercrime that goes against the country’s child protection system,” the official explained.
He called on everyone to be responsible and not to publish any wrongdoing on social media. We are going through critical times, which need people to be fully aware of what they are doing and not to commit anything that might undermine precautionary measures taken by the country to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The Saudi Pubic Prosecution has already dealt with similar cases with two people who committed related offence. The Saudi authorities will have zero tolerance against such crimes and will closely monitor everything published on social media, the official emphasised.