Kuwaiti may face $33,000 fine for littering at beach

Culprit reprimanded for his careless behaviour

AKuwaiti man had the shock of his life when he was told by Kuwaiti police that he might have to pay 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars ($33,117; Dh121,612) for throwing an empty can on the beach.

The man who was not named reportedly bought a can of juice for 100 fils and drank it as he was standing on a beach in the northern Arabian Gulf state.

However, after he finished it, he carelessly discarded of the can, Kuwaiti daily Al Rai reported on Tuesday, citing a security source.

Two environment policemen spotted him and reprimanded him.

They also took his name down for purposes of issuing a fine for littering.

Months later, he was summoned by the police. Unsure as why, he expected to be told that there was some confusion regarding names and that it was someone else wanted for questioning, the source said.

However, when he arrived at the police station, he was told that he was wanted in a legal case filed against him for throwing a can on the beach, causing damage to the environment, and that he might have to fork out 10,000 dinars.

The man then recalled the incident and the fine imposed but added that he was under the impression that he would have to pay a few dinars.

Police told him that under the law to protect the environment, the fine for littering on public beaches or islands could run up to 10,000 dinars.

According to the security source, the man was released on bail and referred to the legal authorities.