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 Arabia celebrates Flag Day with displays, special events
- Nation goes green in show of unity, belonging
- Current design of the flag, which represents unity and sovereignty, was adopted in 1937
RIYADH: A new art exhibition has opened at King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh, as the country celebrates Flag Day, which fell on Wednesday.
The event, titled “In Love with Green,” is being held in collaboration with the Saudi Art Association and features 20 fine art paintings inspired by the Saudi flag, as well as other cultural and contemporary images and landmarks.
The current design of the flag, which represents unity and sovereignty, was adopted in 1937. It features the Shahada and a sword symbolizing justice and safety, representing the unification of the Kingdom during the reign of King Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
The exhibition, at the library’s services branch and reading halls on Khurais Road, was opened by the library’s Director General Bandar Al-Mubarak and the association’s board chair Hanaa Al-Shibly.
Visitors can attend from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Elsewhere in the country, public spaces and buildings have become a sea of green for Flag Day.
In Al-Baha, government buildings, squares and main roads were decorated with green lighting and national flags were hoisted in public squares.
It was a similar picture in Makkah, where people celebrated the annual show of pride and belonging against a green backdrop.
In Tabuk, authorities installed more than 7,000 flags along roads, squares and bridges, while the region’s landmarks and tunnels were illuminated with green and white lights.
More than 10,000 Saudi flags were also hoisted in Jazan, where Souk Al-Awalin in Jazan City is set to host a range of events and performances to mark the special occasion.
