Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — An intensive training program to deal with harassment cases will be launched in the coming days in all Public Prosecution branches, according to Attorney General Sheikh Saud Al-Muajab.

The training program will review investigation procedures to be followed in harassment cases. It will also unify work at all Public Prosecution circuits to ensure effective implementation of the Anti-Harassment Law which was approved by the Cabinet last month, Saudi Press Agency quoted Al-Muajab as saying.

He said the Attorney General’s Office represented by the Public Prosecution bureaus will firmly deal with all types of harassment in line with the rules and regulations.

The Attorney General has issued directives to form a team to study the Anti-Harassment Law and come up with mechanism to ensure implementation of the regulations.

The legislation, which awaits an expected royal decree to become law, is the latest in a series of reforms that Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman has initiated.

The anti-harassment measure introduces a jail sentence of up to five years and a SR300,000 ($80,000) fine.

“(The legislation) aims at combating the crime of harassment, preventing it, applying punishment against perpetrators and protecting the victims in order to safeguard the individual’s privacy, dignity and personal freedom which are guaranteed by Islamic law and regulations,” a statement from the Shoura Council said.