Heavy penalties, arrest await those spreading rumours in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Arrests and stringent penalties are waiting for those who indulge in spreading rumours and lies about matters related to public order in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom's Public Prosecution said in a statement that action will be taken in accordance with the Law on Combating Information Crimes and the Law of Criminal Procedures against individuals who engage in spreading canards and rumours through social media and other platforms.

The decision to tighten the monitoring over the spreading of false information has been taken after the authority had notified baseless allegations and reports on social-networking sites over the postponed Riyadh Season music event.

The authority believes that most of the false reports and information were handled by external, hostile parties.

Criminal charges have already been imposed on individuals who have been found to be involved in spreading false information in the Kingdom, the statement further said.

"These actions result in heavy penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a fine of SR3 million ($800,000)," the Public Prosecution said. In addition, devices and tools used to commit such crimes will be confiscated, the final ruling is made public and action can be taken against anyone who incited, assisted or agreed to commit the crime, the authority added.