Cii Radio|Ayesha Ismail|08 February 2017|10 Jumadul ula 1438
Saudi man makes bizarre attempt to set himself ablaze in front of Kaaba
A Saudi man, believed to be in his 40s, was captured by police as he was pouring gasoline on himself near the most sacred site in Islam, the Kaaba, just moments before he was able to set himself ablaze in a crowd full of pilgrims.
The footage of the dramatic incident, which unfolded on Monday evening, shows the Grand Mosque’s worshipers screaming in panic while several members of the public together with the security guards rounding up the man and restraining him.
While it is not clear what had triggered the suspect’s apparent attempt at self-inflammation, Saudi police said he appeared to be suffering from mental issues.
“He was held before he went on with his dramatic self-immolation act and his behavior indicates that he is mentally ill,”Major Sameh al-Salami, media spokesman for police, said in a statement on Tuesday, as cited by Press TV, adding that the appropriate legal action will be taken against him.
While the police have not shed much light on the possible motives of the suspect, they dismissed claims that the man had intended to inflict damage on the holy shrine.
Unconfirmed reports citing eyewitnesses said that the man aimed to set fire to Kiswah, a silk and gold curtain with embroidered verses from the Koran, which covers the Kaaba.
Click here to watch the video of the incident
Source – rt news
