Saudi authorities say a man was arrested in Makkah for harassing people and causing panic, rejecting false social media claims about the incident at the Grand Mosque.
Webdesk: Zunaira Fatima
MAKKAH: Saudi authorities have rejected social media claims about the arrest of a suspected attacker in Makkah, clarifying that security officials detained a man for harassing people and causing fear and panic.
Saudi General Security issued a statement on the social media platform X after a video showing security personnel detaining a man began circulating online. The video was shared with various claims about what had happened at the Grand Mosque.
According to Saudi authorities, security officials in Makkah arrested the individual after he allegedly harassed passersby and caused panic among people. Officials said the man was dealt with immediately and that necessary legal procedures were taken against him before his case was referred to the Public Prosecution.
The clarification came after social media users circulated more alarming claims about the incident. Some posts reportedly described the detained person as a suspected suicide bomber. Saudi authorities specifically denied the claims being circulated and urged people to obtain information from official sources.
The viral video showed security personnel apprehending a person, but the details attached to the video were not supported by the official statement. BBC Urdu also noted that it could not independently verify the video.
Saudi General Security did not provide the identity, nationality or further personal details of the detained man. It also did not provide additional information about the circumstances that led to his arrest.
The incident highlights how unverified claims can spread quickly on social media, particularly when videos from religious sites are shared without reliable information. Saudi authorities have therefore stressed the importance of relying on official sources for information about security incidents in Makkah.
