RIYADH: A woman may face charges under a new harassment law in Saudi Arabia after storming a stage to hug a pop star, authorities and local media said on Sunday.

The woman could face two years in prison and a fine of up to 100,000 Saudi riyals ($27,000, 23,000 euros), attorney Abdulkarim al-Qadi told the Okaz news site.

The woman, who has not been identified, was dressed in a full-length abaya and niqab face cover when she jumped on stage to hug Iraqi singer Majid al-Muhandis, whose love songs are hugely popular in the Gulf.

A police statement said the woman had been arrested on Friday night for “criminal acts as per the anti-harassment regulatory act”.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2018