Saudi Arabian Authorities Arrest Expatriate for Filming Deceased Individual in Jeddah

Saudi Arabian authorities have detained an expatriate on suspicion of recording a deceased individual, breaching the privacy protection laws. This marks the second such incident in the kingdom within a month.

The Interior Ministry reported that police in Jeddah apprehended an Indonesian resident for documenting and sharing a video that compromised privacy and contravened the anti-cybercrime legislation.

"Disciplinary measures have been taken against the individual, who has been referred to public prosecution," the police stated in a brief announcement.

A video recently circulated on social media depicts an expatriate filming a body as it was being transferred to a hearse, according to Saudi news portal Akhbar24.

Last month, Saudi authorities reported the arrest of a Bangladeshi expatriate in Riyadh for recording and posting a video of a shrouded corpse.

The footage showed a covered body inside a hospital while arrangements were being made to transfer it to a morgue prior to burial.

Severe Penalties

In Saudi Arabia, photographing others without consent is illegal. Violators face fines of up to SR500,000 and imprisonment for a maximum of one year.

Recently, Saudi authorities have detained several expatriates for various offences, including law-breaking and violence.

Last month, Riyadh police arrested 11 expatriates for obstructing traffic and documenting the act online. The individuals included 10 Bangladeshis accused of causing traffic disruptions and inconvenience to pedestrians.

Another suspect was detained for capturing the incident on video, violating the kingdom’s anti-cybercrime laws.

In June, police arrested 14 expatriates in Riyadh for their involvement in stealing copper cables valued at over SR8 million. The suspects included 12 Pakistani residents and two Afghan nationals.

In May, Saudi authorities arrested a Turkish resident in Mecca on suspicion of arson. The individual was filmed setting fire to two parked cars in a public area.

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