Saudi teen released after arrest for dancing on a Jeddah street

Saudi authorities have released a teenage boy who was arrested for dancing to the 1990s hit Macarena in the middle of a traffic intersection in Jeddah.

The 14-year-old could be seen performing the famous dance routine in a video clip that went viral on social media.

Makkah police said they questioned the boy because he had shown “improper public behaviour” and disrupted traffic.

Read: Saudi teen arrested for dancing to ‘Macarena’ on Jeddah street

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior said the boy had been released without charge after he and his legal guardian signed a pledge.

“They signed a written pledge that the teen will not engage in behavior that could endanger his life and the life of others again,” the ministry said.

“The notification was solely intended to warn the boy about potential consequences for his own safety, as well as to safeguard the overall safety of motorists and pedestrians.”

The boy’s arrest provoked a mixed reaction on social media, with some describing the boy as a “hero” and others agreeing that he should face the consequences of his actions.

Many thought authorities should show leniency due to the boy’s age. Saudi writer Nora Shanar tweeted: “Children aren’t to be punished by laws for adults.”