Saudi man arrested for false news on COVID-19 patient
Spreading false rumours in Saudi Arabia an offence punishable by up to 5 years in jail
Cairo: Saudi police had arrested a citizen for spreading false rumours about a woman infected with the novel coronavirus, the Saudi news agency reported, citing a security official.
The suspect had appeared in a video circulated on social media promoting false allegations about the patient in the governorate of Al Ras, which is part of Al Qassim region, spokesman for local police Lt.Col. Badr Al Suhaibani added.
Police investigations found out that the man is in his 50s. "He was arrested. Legal procedures have been taken against him to refer him to public prosecution," the official said without further details.
Saudi authorities have recently warned against spreading false rumours harming public order on social media as the country is striving to contain the coronavirus through a raft of stringent measures.
Offenders face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of 3 million riyals.