King Abdullah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud pardoned Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) fixer and production assistant Rosana Al-Yami on Monday, 26 October after she had been sentenced this past weekend to 60 lashes. According to Reuters, Al-Yami was punished on the grounds that LBC was not licensed to operate in Saudi Arabia.
Rosana Al-Yami, 22, was the latest Saudi citizen to be sentenced in connection with the LBC series “Ahmar Bilkhat al-Areed” (Bold Red Lines).
An LBC spokesperson, who wished to remain unnamed, confirmed to the International Press Institute (IPI) that Al-Yami had worked as an LBC fixer in Saudi Arabia for the past two years, but declined to comment further on the case.
Al-Yami could not be reached for comment.
On hearing of the pardon, Al-Yami told Reuters, “The king has vindicated me. I am satisfied with the king’s order and I accept the decisions of the sovereign.”
In July, the programme caused a minor uproar in the Islamic kingdom when one episode, which highlighted attitudes towards sex in Middle East countries, showed Jeddah resident Mazen Abdul Jawad, a 32-year old divorced father, speaking openly about his sexual exploits.
Extra-marital sex is illegal in Saudi Arabia, which strictly enforces a host of Islamic laws governing moral behaviour. Sexual content is forbidden in print and broadcast media.
In early October, Abdul Jawad was sentenced to five years in prison and 1,000 lashes for charges of immoral behaviour. News sources report that three friends of his who also appeared on the show have received two-year jail terms and 300 lashes each.
Abdul Jawad’s lawyer, Sulaiman Jumaie, has said that his client will appeal, and blames LBC for the scandal, claiming that the broadcaster is responsible for violating Saudi Arabia laws.
LBC’s two Saudi offices were also shut down after the show, reportedly for operating without a license. Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal owns the majority share of the station, whose programmes are available via satellite across the Middle East.
“While I welcome the decision not to punish Ms. Al Yami, I am deeply concerned about the decision to charge the journalist in the first place,” said IPI Director David Dadge. “The right of journalists and media workers to practice their profession free of harassment or intimidation should be supported by law and they should not have to rely on the arbitrary decisions of the King for their protection.”
“Distressingly, it also seems that the Saudi government was willing to overlook the licensing issue before the controversial programme segment was aired and is now using this issue as an excuse to shut down LBC’s offices and punish those affiliated with its work in the Islamic kingdom.”
Ahmar Bilkhat al-Areed began a new season last week, although it is now broadcast only within Lebanon.
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