Saudi Arabian teen arrested for chats with American video blogger

Teenager Abu Sin was arrested in Riyadh for publishing a series of videos showing him talking to popular video blogger Christina Crockett. The videos were made during live streams on YouNow, a social network that allows users to have video chats, and later posted on YouTube.

The videos attracted a big audience because the young people were trying to communicate despite the language barrier. They were discussing their everyday life, modern technologies, social media and even Justin Bieber.

Police representatives say the official ground for the arrest was “unethical behaviour”. The teen’s videos received many comments, and a significant number of users demanded that Abu must be arrested for what he was doing. According to prosecutors, the boy’s videos breach the country’s interpretation of Sharia law and internet regulations. He may be jailed for three years.

Crockett says she invited Abu Sin to her chat because he was funny and many people liked him. “He didn’t speak much English, so I was trying to get him to understand what I was saying most of the time; it wasn’t that good communication. He was dancing and being funny, we would both dance on there because we can’t communicate with words. It was pretty funny,” a 21-year-old girl from California says. She adds she was shocked by the news and notes Abu doesn’t deserve it.

Saudi Arabian authorities already arrested people for accusations of unethical behaviour on the internet. In 2013, the religious police arrested a young man who posted photos of himself giving “free hugs” in the streets of Riyadh.