World

Report: Saudi men arrested for dancing at party

/ AP

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Local Saudi newspapers are reporting that the kingdom's morality police have detained a group of men for dancing at a birthday party.

The state-linked news website Ayn al-Youm says the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice raided a private residence in the ultraconservative city of Buraydah, arresting the men inside for "loud music and inappropriate dancing."

The men were referred to police for investigation.

A hashtag on Twitter quickly went viral about the arrest, with many Saudis ridiculing the raid and arguing the men were not caught drinking alcohol or partying with women - both crimes under Saudi Arabia's conservative codes.

Others shared photos of Saudi royals performing a traditional sword dance, though supporters of the raid claim that form of dance is socially acceptable.

First published on February 22, 2015 / 10:17 AM EST

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