DUBAI: Saudi prosecutors on Tuesday announced that individuals who produce or distribute satirical content on social media that “mocks, provokes or disrupts public order, religious values and public morals” face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of three million riyals.
“Producing and distributing content that ridicules, mocks, provokes and disrupts public order, religious values and public morals through social media ... will be considered a cybercrime punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of SR3 million,” the kingdom’s Public Prosecution posted in its Arabic Twitter account.
Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor also announced it was seeking the death penalty in the case against Sheikh Salman Al-Odah, who has more than 14 million followers on Twitter, a prominent cleric who arrested last year along with 20 others.
In September 2017, authorities have called on Saudi citizens to report on social media activities of their fellow citizens, under a wide-ranging definition of “terrorist” crimes.
Saudi Arabia to penalize individuals who create or promote social media content that disrupts public order
Saudi Arabia to penalize individuals who create or promote social media content that disrupts public order
Northern Borders rock art reveals ancient life
- Among the most notable remains are stone structures scattered northwest of Arar
- Evidence ranges from the Neolithic era to Islamic times, forming a chronological record
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region contains numerous archaeological sites, reflecting a long history of human settlement dating back to early periods, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Among the most notable remains are stone structures scattered northwest of Arar.
Varying in shape, size and design, specialists believe these structures date to the end of the Neolithic period and the beginning of subsequent eras. They are thought to have been used as stone tombs to preserve the remains of the dead.
Evidence ranges from the Neolithic era to Islamic times, forming a chronological record that highlights the diversity of communities that once lived in the region and how they interacted with their natural environment over centuries.
Ajab Al-Otaibi, director general of antiquities at the Heritage Commission, said the stone structures and rock art sites in the Northern Borders region represent an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s national cultural heritage and serve as an important resource for archaeological studies and scientific research.
He highlighted the importance of surveys, documentation and protection efforts to preserve these cultural landmarks as a historical legacy for future generations.
The region is also home to several important rock art sites, such as Shu’ayb Hamer, which features a wide and diverse collection of drawings carved on natural rock surfaces, marking it as a key site that documented early human activity in the area.
The artworks depict scenes of hunting, horsemanship, dancing, daily life and social rituals. They were created using a variety of artistic styles, most notably framed and abstract forms, and produced through different techniques including incizing and pecking, both direct and indirect.
The carvings portray human figures and a range of animals, including camels, horses and gazelles, as well as some wild and predatory species that have long since disappeared.
These images provide insight into the richness of the natural environment in earlier periods and help researchers understand the evolving relationship between humans and their surroundings.
