Saudi comedian summoned for insulting soldiers

Saudi Arabia’s public prosecution has issued a summons against comedian Osama Salmeen for insulting soldiers at the southern borders.

The comedian will face an investigation for a video clip and tweets that went viral on social media, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Salmeen was seen joking about injured border soldiers in the video.

للأسف أصبحت أنا وزملائي المصابين بالحد الجنوبي وبالتحديد نحنُ من فقدنا أحد أطرافنا دفاعاً عن الدين ثم الوطن مثالاً للسخرية والكوميديا عند البعض مثل( أسامه سالمين)ظفر واحد فقدناه بالحد يسوا الف من أشكالك. pic.twitter.com/wnM7xpJb4W

— عامر الرميح (@amer_373) May 18, 2019

The media ministry has referred the case to the media violations committee for investigation and appropriate action.

The ministry’s spokesman said that the “ministry supports and protects artists’ freedom, but it won’t allow any insults against soldiers stationed at the borders”, the report added.