Saudi authorities in Asir governorate fired a teacher after a video of him beating a student circulated online, one year after the incident took place.
The footage made the rounds online earlier this week, sparking outrage in the kingdom. Hours later, Asir's governor Prince Faisal bin Khaled ordered an urgent investigation into the incident.
In a statement that came after local officials launched a probe into the matter, the spokesperson of the governorate's Education Authority, Mohammad Al Fifi, announced that the educator involved in the incident had been identified.
Al Fifi confirmed the assault took place last year and was filmed by one of the victim's classmates at the time.
The teacher admitted to beating the young boy
During interrogations, the educator, an Egyptian expat based in the kingdom, admitted to assaulting the student. He claimed he did so because the young boy "was disruptive in class."
Asir's Education Authority has since terminated its contract with the teacher and has referred the case to the governorate's public prosecutor.
The student who filmed the assault was also referred to concerned education authorities, as he had violated rules by capturing the incident on camera.
Footage capturing the incident sent shockwaves through Saudi Twitter
Though a few tried to defend the teacher's actions...
"The teacher asks the student to stop talking back to him and the latter replies saying he won't. How are you judging this!! This student is ill-mannered."
Many were completely outraged by it
"This is so unfortunate."
"Heartbreaking footage, this man is hateful"
The video left people upset
"Unfortunately, many educators aren't qualified to deal with teenagers and still use outdated disciplinary techniques."
Many called on authorities to take action against the educator
"This man must be fired and deported."
And were relieved when they did
"All legal actions has been taken against him."
Some were angered by the action taken against the student who filmed the incident
"Action was taken against the pupil who filmed the footage? He should've been honored."
Not the first time a similar assault sparks anger in Saudi Arabia
Earlier this year, officials permanently banned an educator from teaching after a video of him horrifically beating a student went viral.
At the time, the action against the teacher was announced by Ahmad Balghunaim, head of Al Ihsa'a Education Authority.
In a statement he made on live television, Balghunaim said the decision came after evidence proved the educator's wrongdoing.