Saudi Gazette report

 

HAIL — A 16-year-old American boy accused of harassment was sent to an observation center in Hail, Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Wednesday.



The teenager was allegedly harassing women in a public park and Hai'a members accompanied by a police officer tried to detain him, but he apparently put up a fight.



He was detained at Al-Muntazah police station and his mother and Arabic-speaking relatives arrived at the station.



The boy came to the country accompanying his mother who works at a girl's college in Hail.



Head of the Haia branch in Hail refused to comment on the incident, citing directives against speaking to the press. All efforts to contact the Haia spokesman in Hail, Fahd Al-Amer, failed.



Sources denied reports that the boy was released and said he will be detained for another 10 days for questioning.



They added that the observation home received a call from the US Embassy inquiring about the suspect.



The embassy said it does not comment on incidents involving American citizens living in the Kingdom.