Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

A man arrested for spitting on trolleys and doors in a Saudi shopping centre faces the death penalty after testing positive for COVID-19.

The incident took place in a shopping centre in the northern Saudi Arabian province of Hail and the unnamed suspect was later arrested after being spotted by workers.

While in custody the man, identified as a foreign national although his nationality was not disclosed, tested positive for COVID-19.

It is still unclear why the man, who lived in the city of Baljurashi in the south-western region of Al Bahah, carried out the act and if he was aware of his diagnosis at the time.

After testing positive for the virus, the Saudi authorities asked everyone who visited the affected store to immediately undergo a COVID-19 test.

Meanwhile, they are still scanning the CCTV footage to identify whether the suspect may have infected other areas.

Saudi officials suggested that the suspect could face charges that would include the death penalty as punishment because “he was clearly aware of the fever and cough he had at the time and his action was only aimed at killing others”.

As of 27th March, Saudi Arabia has reported 1,012 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three related deaths, according to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University.

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