Saudi authorities investigate celebrity poet who abused worker in viral video

Saudi authorities announced they will take immediate action against a celebrity poet who verbally abused a worker in a now-viral video, Akhbaar 24 news site reported on Wednesday. 

The footage started circulating on Twitter earlier this week and sparked outrage among tweeps, who deemed the abuser's behavior and words "unacceptable."

In the video, a man is seen mocking and humiliating an employee of his, as the latter served people coffee. 

Hours after it went viral, people identified the abusive man as Ali bin Hamri, a popular poet in the kingdom.

In a statement he posted on Twitter amid the backlash, official spokesman for the kingdom's Ministry of Labor, Khalid Abi Al Khail wrote: 

"In reference to the now-viral footage of a man being abusive towards an expat worker, the ministry confirms that it is closely following the case. It has now been transferred to the human trafficking department who will take the appropriate action against the abuser."

Even after authorities issued a statement on the matter, people continued to share the viral footage, attacking bin Hamri's actions. 

"This person has to be punished over this. He can't treat this worker like a slave. I wish I were in the victim's place, I would have thrown that kettle right in this abusive man's face."

"This person is regressive." 

"It's clear that he's joking around with the person who's filming the video. He was being spontaneous, it happens and I honestly believe people who act with spontaneity are the most merciful. You just like to blow things out of proportion and pretend like you're perfect."

"Don't make excuses for him, it doesn't matter whether he's joking around or not, his words are unacceptable. He also clearly knows that people are filming this, put yourself in the worker's place, would you accept such treatment?"