The police in Taif city of Mecca province of Saudi Arabia on Friday arrested a woman for hugging a male singer on stage during a concert. Women in Saudi Arabia are prohibited by law from mixing in public with unrelated men.
Majid al-Mohandis was performing at a festival in Taif when the woman ran onto the stage and hugged him. She held on to the singer even as security personnel attempted to pull her off, a video of the incident posted online showed.
A public prosecutor will now consider pursuing harassment charges against the woman under the country’s anti-harassment law, BBC reported citing Saudi newspaper Okaz. “The harasser will face two years in prison and a fine of up to 1,00,000 riyals,” lawyer Abdul Karim al-Qadi told Okaz.
The woman was placed under the custody of a girls’ welfare institution in Taif, Arab News reported.
Mohandis has not commented on the incident, BBC reported. The Iraqi-born singer, who also holds Saudi citizenship, continued to perform after the incident.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!