JEDDAH/RIYADH: A citizen has been sentenced to 10 years in jail in Riyadh for using his social media accounts to spread malicious rumors about the Kingdom.
“The unnamed Saudi national’s motives were detrimental to public order and society. He was a purveyor of absolute lies ... to misinform,” a report quoted a statement of the Special Criminal Court as saying.
The court ruled that his sentence would run from the time he was arrested two years ago, and for his phone to be confiscated and social media and e-mail accounts deleted. There would also be a travel ban once released.
The man had set up a channel on YouTube, which the court found he used to spread rumors about the Kingdom and Arab rulers, whom he described as “tyrants.”
He also followed and watched channels broadcasting derogatory statements about the Kingdom and participated in rallies and demonstrations, which the authorities had dispersed. He also actively participated in a protest rally that demanded the release of a detainee. The rally took place near the house of the detainee whose name was not mentioned.
“The judge based his decision to convict the offending Saudi on a discretionary basis since punishment for the offense is not provided for under Shariah,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the court sentenced another citizen to three and a half years in prison after he was found guilty of supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon, on the pretext of backing the war against Israel.
He had a copy of the banned party’s flag and a logo with “Al-Nimr, the party’s symbol,” written on it, in reference to a terrorist, Nimr Al-Nimr, executed by the Kingdom recently.
The defendant was also found guilty of assaulting two people and drug abuse. His sentence includes 50 lashes, and a travel ban equal to his jail sentence once released.
10-year jail for online Saudi purveyor of lies and hatred
10-year jail for online Saudi purveyor of lies and hatred
Saudi interior ministry arrests six violators of Hajj regulations
- Those arrested were given 15-day prison sentence and fined SR10,000 for each violator they tried to transport
- The vehicles used to transport the violators were confiscated
RIYADH: Hajj security forces stationed at entrances to Makkah arrested on Sunday six people who violated Hajj regulations by transporting a group of 52 individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.
The resident and five citizens were each given a 15-day prison sentence and fined SR10,000 ($2,665) for each violator they tried to transport illegally.
The vehicles used to transport the violators were also confiscated, the Ministry of Interior said.
Residents who violate Hajj regulations face deportation and the ministry has urged all citizens and residents to strictly comply with Hajj regulations to ensure pilgrims feel safe, comfortable, and at peace when performing Hajj rituals.
44.8m phone calls by pilgrims during Eid
- 38.04 million were local and 6.76 million were international calls, with a success rate of more than 99 percent
- In terms of data usage, pilgrims consumed 5,790 terabytes during the holiday
MINA: Pilgrims in Makkah and at the holy sites made a record-breaking 44.8 million telephone calls on Sunday during Eid Al-Adha, Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission said on Monday.
Of those, 38.04 million were local and 6.76 million were international calls, with a success rate of more than 99 percent.
In terms of data usage, pilgrims consumed 5,790 terabytes during the holiday, the commission added, which is equivalent to streaming more than 2.37 million hours of high-definition, 1080p video.
Average daily data consumption reached 779.93 megabytes per subscriber, which was more than double the global average of 380MB.
The mobile internet infrastructure was able to provide an average data-download speed of 376.18 megabits per second and an average upload speed of 48.04Mbps, according to the commission.
National Water Co. conducts tests throughout Hajj
- Company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources
- Has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard
MINA: The National Water Co. is conducting tests to ensure water quality meets international standards for pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia during Hajj season.
The company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources, operational tanks, strategic storage tanks, and water networks at the holy sites.
It confirmed that it has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard.
Fixed and mobile laboratories in the holy sites conduct tests on samples collected by teams on a continual basis from primary water sources, operational and strategic reservoirs, and water systems in and around Makkah and other holy sites.
The teams consists of highly qualified, specialized staff who conduct over 4,100 tests daily.
Diriyah authority celebrates Eid with artistic performances
- Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations
RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority celebrated Eid Al-Adha by organizing a range of artistic and cultural shows.
Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations, including Diriyah’s parks, squares and neighborhoods, as well as the historic Al-Turaif neighborhood and the Bujairi Terrace.
The four-day events, which kicked off on the first day of Eid, included artistic and cultural programs and live shows in Al-Turaif, in addition to popular arts shows such as Ardah and Samri. About 25,000 gifts were distributed to citizens and visitors enjoying the activities, interactive shows and live music.
Also on the first day of Eid, the authority launched a service to manage the sacrificed animals, in accordance with approved standards and requirements. It supervised the organization and preparation process during the pilgrimage and arranged parking areas and waiting tents, in addition to distributing sacrificial bags to those wishing to perform the ritual.
This year’s events included Arabian horse shows, traditional henna decorations and the distribution of gift. Boxes of sweets were also handed out.
Crowds of people enjoyed Eid Al-Adha events at Bujairi Terrace. These included live musical shows using oud, rababa and qanun instruments, and pavilions where artists drew caricatured portraits of guests and children could have their faces painted.
Neuroradiology saves life of female Iraqi pilgrim
- Iraqi pilgrim received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed
- An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist treated the patient
MINA: A female Iraqi pilgrim suffered a stroke that caused her to lose the ability to speak and move on the right side of her body whilst in Saudi Arabia.
She received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed.
The Makkah Health Cluster said the Red Crescent transported the patient to the facility as soon as the incident was identified. An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist received the patient who immediately underwent the necessary medical examinations.
A CT scan showed a thrombus in the artery supplying the left lobe of the brain and thus, she was referred to the Interventional Neuroradiology Department.
Thanks to the interdisciplinary integration and rapid procedures, the patient was transferred to the catheterization ward in the Radiology Department. The clot was successfully removed using the latest technology and the patient’s blood supply to the brain was restored without major complications.
