Saudi summons Twitter users for harming public order

Saudi Arabia has summoned a group of Twitter users and others charged with harming public order.

The group are accused of harming public order “by influencing the integrity and moderation of the intellectual curriculum of society”, according to Saudi Press agency.

The Public Prosecution said they would be subject to legal procedures.

In a statement, public prosecutor Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Muajab stressed that any individual who shared content deemed harmful to society “whatever its material, pretext and means of publication” would face prosecution.

This includes media publications, social media, lectures, speeches, books and others, he added.

The prosecution went on to say it was “fully aware of respect for freedom of opinion and protection of its legitimate immunity, which is enriched its giving and constructive criticism at ‘national, scientific, educational and intellectual’ levels”.

But it warned against acts that exceed the ceiling of “legitimate and wide-ranging freedom to carry out harmful acts threatening the going stray of the social moderation to the point of extremism”.

Acts considered harmful to public order include inciting “hatred, sectarianism and intellectual and sectarian classifications as well as attempts to mislead the public opinion”, the prosecution said.

The announcement comes as the kingdom embarks on a national campaign warning celebrities, entertainment events and retailers against the act of dabbing.

The dance move, which involves a person dropping their head into a crooked arm while raising the other arm straight, drew new attention over the last week when singer Abdallah Al Shahani was reportedly arrested for performing it on stage at a music festival in Taif.

Saudi Gazette reports that the National Committee for Combating Drugs has referred to the move as encouraging drug use.

The committee’s president has called the trend harmful to the kingdom’s youth and has cracked down on football players in the Jameel League and others seen performing it in public.

This included a mannequin at a shop selling boys clothes in Taif, which was taken dwon after the committee ordered it to be removed, according to the publication.