MADINAH: The police have arrested a mentally ill man for entering the women’s section of a mosque on the Qaseem-Madinah road in an abaya.

The man’s presence frightened the women in the section of the mosque, which was packed with worshippers during Fajr, or early morning prayers, an online publication reported.

Brig. Fahad Al-Ghannam, spokesman of Madinah police, has refuted posts on social media claiming the man had tried to abduct one of the women. Al-Ghannam said the 33-year-old Saudi appeared to have mental problems.

He was noticed by women present inside the mosque, who sought help from the men in the male section. The men held him until police officers arrived, who then took him to Hanakiyah police station.

He said an investigation is underway and the suspect would be taken to a mental hospital for an examination. He has a record for a previous arrest and transfer to a mental hospital, said Al-Ghannam.

The man did not harm any woman and did not resist the men who came to catch him, said Al-Ghannam.