Saudi Arabia Arrests Group For Flirting

February 23, 2008 9:26 p.m. EST

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - Saudi Arabia has arrested over 50 men for "flirting" with girls at a Mecca mall.

Prosecutors are currently investigating charges that include wearing indecent clothing and playing loud music in order to attract female attention.

The arrests came after the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice called for an investigation into their activities that were deemed "harmful."

This comes less than two weeks since the conservative Islamic nation banned the sale of red roses and other Valentine's Day symbols typical of the holiday.

The ban was part of a nationwide attempt to rid the country of anything in connection with a "pagan Christian holiday."

Saudi authorities felt the holiday promotes the relations of men and women outside of marriage, which is punishable in the kingdom.

Guardians of the men defended the arrested groups action, arguing that they always got together on the weekends, but never violated any of the country's laws pertaining to the separation of sexes.