Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — A Saudi court is set to examine the charges against a person who was arrested for producing and sharing content on social media, including rumors and news from unknown sources about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a way affecting public order. “Based on what was filed by the Monitoring Unit at the Public Prosecution in connection with this issue and as per the directive of the Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Muajab, the person was arrested,” said an official source at the Public Prosecution.

“By examining digital evidence and information identifiers, the suspect was arrested, interrogated and charged with producing COVID-19 rumors and news from unknown sources that affect public order and undermine trust in the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the competent authorities,” source said.

The person’s file has been referred to the relevant court, the source said while adding that there is a possibility of awarding him five years of imprisonment and a fine of SR3 million, in addition to confiscation of equipment used for the offense, according to Article 6 of the Saudi Anti-Cyber Crimes Law. “This penalty will also be applicable to everyone who participated in the said crime by agreement, assistance or incitement, and all those who produced, prepared, sent or stored anything that might affect public order through the Internet or a computer,” the source pointed out.

The Monitoring Unit is following very carefully everything that is published and circulated through social media and through the information network by experts using smart and modern devices. The source called on everyone to seek information from official sources only, and to cooperate fully with the decisions and instructions of the competent authorities related with coronavirus so as to avoid criminal accountability.