Saudi citizen arrested for helping non-Muslim journalist enter Mecca

Saudi Arabia authorities have arrested a citizen of the country for driving a non-Muslim journalist into the holy city of Mecca during Hajj recently.

Legal measures are being taken against him, Mecca police announced on Friday, reports The Jerusalem Post.

Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the holy city of Mecca and some parts of Medina.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the official spokesman for the Mecca region police detailed the incident in which the citizen transported the journalist to Mecca through a dedicated path for Muslims, reports IQNA.

Police added that the case of the journalist has also been referred to the public prosecution to take "necessary procedures against him," reports JP.

Earlier, Gil Tamary, a journalist for Israel's Channel 13 TV news, published a video on his social media account that shows himself driving into the city and areas that the Saudi government bans non-Muslims from entering.

In another image, Tamari can be seen on Mount Arafat where one of the most important rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage is performed annually.