Riyadh: A group of people of Yemeni origin have been arrested on suspicion of spying in the Saudi armed forces.

Saudi Sergeant Said Musaifir Al-Otaibi spotted them while they were using their mobile phones to photograph warplanes as they took off and landed at King Fahd Airbase in the governorate of Al-Taif. He immediately reported the incident to the security authorities, reported Arabic daily Sabq.

Police arrested the Yemenis and confiscated their cellphones before referring them to security authorities for legal action.

Western province Commandant Major-General Saad bin Ali Al-Qarni honoured Sergeant Al-Otaibi in recognition of his alertness and patriotic spirit.