For the first time in Saudi Arabia’s history, hundreds of Saudi citizens have been arrested across a variety of regions, on charges related to sexual practices, prostitution, and begging.
This comes just days after the Saudi Ministry of Interior declared the development of a special security unit to combat human trafficking and moral divergences —a move that has flared widespread controversy between proponents and contenders.
Amid these occasions, charges have strengthened against the leader of the Saudi Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh. Many think that the entertainment policies followed by the Saudi government under his administration have assisted in the spread of these phenomena.
Analysts claim that what Al-Sheikh define as exposure has instead led to an unprecedented surge in preparations that counter Saudi customs and traditions, turning the kingdom into an alien wave of moral decline.
The detentions have affected more than 50 people, most of whom are aliens. Riyadh police arrested three expatriates charged with engaging in prostitution in a resort, while Jeddah police captured five expatriates operating in a massage centre allegedly utilised for unethical intentions. Further, 14 Yemenis were jailed on charges of using 27 children for begging, and a man and two women were charged in the Qassim area for allegedly being concerned about sex work.
Although Saudi authorities explain these actions as efforts to fight human trafficking and safeguard personal rights, human rights institutions have cautioned that this new unit could be employed for security and political objectives. They claim that its broad range could lead to arbitrary detentions and the suppression of dissenters under the cover of combating moral crimes.
As the controversy over the spread of sex and prostitution in Saudi Arabia persists, many are left wondering: Will Riyadh prevail in containing this problem, or will the latest entertainment guidelines only make matters worse?