SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi teen released after dancing 'Macarena' in the street

August 24, 2017
A screengrab of the teen dancing Macrena at a traffic intersection in Jeddah. — Courtesy photo
A screengrab of the teen dancing Macrena at a traffic intersection in Jeddah. — Courtesy photo

JEDDAH — A 14-year-old boy who was detained by Saudi police for dancing to the song “Macarena” at a traffic intersection in Jeddah has been released with a warning about road safety, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

The boy was filmed dancing to the catchy 1990s hit song in front of five lanes of cars stopped at a traffic light, in a clip widely shared on social media.

Police had said the teenager was being questioned because he had shown “improper public behavior” and disrupted traffic.

An Interior Ministry statement said the boy had been released without charge, after he and his legal guardian were summoned for questioning.

“They signed a written pledge that the teen will not engage in behavior that could endanger his life and the life of others again,” it said.

“The notification was solely intended to warn the boy about potential consequences for his own safety, as well as to safeguard the overall safety of motorists and pedestrians.”

The boy was released without charges. — Reuters


August 24, 2017
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