Saudi Arabia: spreading “rumors” punishable by heavy prison sentences

Spreading '

' of '

' is punishable by up to five years in prison and a heavy fine, Saudi authorities have warned following online claims of cases of sexual harassment.

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The ultra-conservative kingdom had canceled a concert at the last minute on Friday due to heavy rain, causing panic in the public.

Several Internet users then mentioned cases of women who had been victims of sexual harassment when leaving the premises after the cancellation of the concert.

"

," the public prosecutor's office warned in a statement.

Up to five years imprisonment

Several people have been summoned by the public prosecutor, he added, adding that their actions were punishable by up to five years in prison and the equivalent of around 705,000 euros. The authorities, who did not specify the content of these "

", nevertheless assured that they were "

". “

,” told AFP on condition of anonymity a woman who had gone to the scene to follow. the concert.

Experts say making accusations of sexual harassment a criminal offense risks deterring women from filing complaints and even talking about it on social media.

Sexual harassment remains a taboo subject in Saudi Arabia even though it has recently become a crime.

The law of May 2018 punishes him with a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and a fine equivalent to around 70,000 euros.

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A Saudi court recently ordered "

" the publication in the press of the name of a man convicted of sexual harassment, a new sentence considered more dissuasive.

Once banned, pop music concerts, like other entertainment, have proliferated in recent years in Saudi Arabia, where strict gender segregation was in place until recently.