"The person who sponsored him should be held accountable over this"

News Saudi Arabia

Expat painter in Saudi Arabia arrested after allegedly working as dentist

Saudis outraged at the news announced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development launched a hashtag calling on the kingdom's Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, to help unemployed Saudi dentists get hired, stating that expats aren't fit for the profession.

However, others responded to the hashtag, criticizing those generalizing the matter and holding millions of expats who live in the kingdom accountable for an individual case.

Saudis had so many questions...

الى متى سيستمر مزاولة هذه المهنة
بطريقة غير مشروعة دون خوف او
رقابة !؟
متى يتم التصدي لهؤلاء العابثين
بصحة الناس ،وانزال اشد العقوبات
لهم والتشهير بهم !؟
(هل من مجيب )📣📣
— ورود الجوري🌹 (@0863Ghadh) May 7, 2018

"Until when will people continue to illegally work in posts and professions without fear or questioning? When will we stand up to those who disregard and irresponsibly handle people's health? When will they be held accountable? When will they be publicly named? (Is there anyone who'll answer these questions)."

Amid the intense backlash, the ministry then backtracked on their statement

بعد التحقق من تقرير الزيارة الميدانية لمقر المنشأة الصحية الخاصة في #الرياض تبيّن أن الوافد لا يمارس مهنة طب الأسنان أو أي مهنة صحية، وجرى التنسيق مع وزارة الصحة لاتخاذ الإجراء اللازم.#دهان_بمرتبه_طبيب_اسنان https://t.co/5XF2FbBxNx
— وزارة العمل والتنمية الاجتماعية (@MLSD_SA) May 8, 2018

Not too long after their tweet went viral and amid intense backlash from Saudis over the matter, Saudi's Ministry of Labor and Social development backtracked on their initial statement.

In another tweet on the incident, they wrote:

"After investigating the report on a health clinic field tour in Riyadh, it became clear that the expat arrested wasn't working as a dentist or in any other medical field. Officials have now communicated with the Ministry of Health to ensure that further appropriate action is taken."

After the country's Ministry of Health took over the case, its officials announced that after cracking down on dental clinics across Riyadh, they discovered owners were trying to cover up violations.

Following a tour of several clinics, investigation teams decided to shut down five other dental clinics found to be in violation of the law.

But many are still having none of it...