Man with coronavirus could face the BEHEADING in Saudi Arabia for spitting on shopping trolleys
A MAN with coronavirus could face the death penalty after spitting on trolleys and doors in a Saudi Arabia shopping centre, it has been reported.
The unnamed suspect was arrested after workers spotted him spitting in the northern Saudi Arabian province of Hail according to Gulf News.
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While in custody the man, identified as a foreign national although his nationality was not disclosed, tested positive for COVID-19.
It is unclear whether the man was aware of his diagnosis when he spat in the shopping centre but an official source told Saudi online newspaper Ajel: “His act is considered among major crimes.”
If Saudi cops allege he did it deliberately knowing he had a fever he could be charged with attempted murder.
This carries the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, where the majority of executions are beheadings.
The source told Ajel: “This behaviour is religiously and legally condemned.
“It is regarded as imparting corruption by deliberately seeking to spread the coronavirus epidemic among members of society and stirring panic among them.”
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
The source also reminded the paper that this crime carries the death penalty.
The Saudi authorities asked everyone who visited the affected store to immediately undergo a COVID-19 test.
Meanwhile, they are still scanning the CCTV footage to identify whether the suspect may have infected other areas.
As the global death toll exceeds 25,427, the country is under a nationwide curfew and movement between the 13 regions in the kingdom in banned.
As of March 27, Saudi Arabia has reported 1,012 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three related deaths, according to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University.
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Schools and universities have been closed and congressional prayers at mosques banned.
Meanwhile in the UK, people claiming to have coronavirus who intentionally cough at emergency workers could face time in prison.
David Mott, 40, was jailed this week after threatening to spit at police in Blackburn.