SAUDI ARABIA – New law in Saudi Arabia curtails powers of Haia

A new law passed by the Cabinet has curtailed the powers of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, head of the commission (Haia), according to new agency Zawya. 

“Once we had much expanded powers, but with the new law… some of these powers, such as interrogating suspects and pressing charges,” will be restricted to the police and public prosecution, Al-Asheikh told AFP. 

The commission may still arrest those carrying out “flagrant offenses such as harassing women, consuming alcohol and drugs, blackmailing and the practice of witchcraft,” he said while talking about the new law. 

However, the cases of such people will be referred to the police and brought to justice, as the Haia will no longer have the right to determine charges against them, he said. 

The Haia will continue to prevent women from driving, ban public entertainment and force all businesses, from supermarkets to petrol stations, to close for prayers five times a day. 

The commission remains an independent body under the new law, Al-Asheikh said, adding that it reports to the king. He said the Haia still has powers to follow up crimes and take the culprits to the court while protecting the rights of the accused. A committee of experts will be formed to prepare the executive bylaw.