A number of airport staff were arrested and referred to court on charges of sexually harassing a group of Iranian pilgrims in King AbdulAziz International Airport, a spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry said Tuesday.



The Saudis began proceedings after allegations of "sexual harassment against two teenage Iranian victims" at Jeddah airport, the interior ministry Spokesman Gen. Mansour Al Turki said.



The Kingdom’s laws “will ensure the strictest penalties for perpetrators of these type of crimes, which are condemned by all sectors of Saudi Muslim society,” Al Turki added.



The suspects have been referred "for investigation and to take the necessary procedures," the spokesman said, adding that Tehran's ambassador has been informed.



Iran's culture minister said on Monday that his country has suspended pilgrimages to Muslim holy places in Saudi Arabia "until the criminals are tried and punished."



Iranian media reported that the incident occurred as the youths prepared to return home after a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in late March.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:45 - GMT 06:45