Saudi security detains man after false claims of suicide bombing at Mecca Grand Mosque

Saudi security authorities in Mecca have arrested a man accused of harassing passers-by and causing panic, saying he was dealt with immediately and referred to the public prosecution.

The Saudi Public Security agency said in a statement: “Security authorities in the Holy Capital have arrested a person for harassing passers-by and causing panic and fear among them. He was dealt with immediately at the time.”

The authorities said claims circulating about the incident were false and urged people to obtain information from official sources.

Earlier, social media users circulated a video accompanied by false claims that “security forces and police had foiled a suicide bombing at the Grand Mosque in Mecca”.

The video actually dates back to February 2017. It shows a Saudi man in his 40s who was reportedly suffering from psychological problems pouring petrol over his clothes near the Kaaba in an attempt to end his life. The incident was not a suicide bombing involving an explosive belt, as some posts claimed.

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