Saudi Arabian couple arrested after video shows man kissing his girlfriend on the cheek
A man in Saudi Arabia recorded himself giving his girlfriend a peck on the cheek while giving her a driving lesson and posted the footage online. Now, the couple has been arrested after moral police discovered their video. The man posted the clip to Snapchat and captioned it "Teaching her how to drive".
After the video went viral, enraged Saudis blasted the couple for "a lack of morality", and now they are facing jail time for their public display of affection. The lovebirds were driving down a Jazan highway when they recorded the kiss and were later picked up by authorities.
It was Prince Mohammad bin Abdel Aziz, the acting Amir of Jazan, who deemed their actions explicit and subsequently ordered their arrest.
According to Stepfeed, the incident prompted severe criticism on Twitter from conservative Saudi citizens.
One offended Saudi Twitter user posted: “Lack of modesty. I hope they're both caught soon. “Let them be thrown in jail for a few years so that they learn some respect and manners.”
In Saudi Arabia, an unmarried couple could be imprisoned for meeting in public or private owing to the strict Sharia laws imposed by the state.
According to laws laid down in the strict Islamic regime, sexual relationships outside of marriage are considered an unforgivable sin.
That said, a reaction from a more liberal viewer on Twitter read: "A man and his girlfriend, what's the problem?
"Maybe they're newly married and this is a video they were trying to send to his or her family and it went out to someone else by mistake." Another added: “Is this for real?”
An unmarried couple was arrested earlier this year by Saudi authorities after allegedly being found together in a car.
The couple, a Saudi man and his Arab girlfriend were both charged with illegal drinking and having an "illicit" relationship outside of marriage at the time.
Last month, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving, sending waves of disbelief across the conservative country.
This latest push towards liberalization is part of a cultural transformation spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is pushing the country to accept “a more moderate Islam”.