Saudi courts ordered to stop flogging for ‘tazir’ crimes
Judges in the kingdom can no longer prescribe flogging as a punishment for lesser crimes.
Saudi Arabia will no longer use flogging as a punishment for certain crimes, according to a circular issued to the courts today.
“Prison or fines or both will be some of the alternative sentences to replace flogging. Courts will hear and evaluate cases and make most sound decisions regarding each case,” the Justice Ministry said on Twitter.
Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported that Minister of Justice Waleed al-Samaani informed the courts that flogging could no longer be used for “tazir” offenses where the punishment is not specifically outlined in the Quran or hadith.
It was first reported in late April that the ultraconservative kingdom would be ending “tazir flogging” in cases where judges have discretion over the punishment.
