Saudi security authorities have named and shamed 11 men in connection with harassment offences over the past month to deter future offenders.

Public Identification of Offenders

On April 12, the kingdom began identifying harassment offenders in public statements. Since then, eleven offenders have been named across different parts of the kingdom, according to media reports. These individuals included:

. Seven expatriates
. Four Saudis

The incidents occurred in cities such as:

. Medina
. Mecca
. Riyadh
. Asir
. Eastern Province
. Jeddah
. Tabuk

Initial Cases

The first cases were made public in April when police announced the arrests of an Egyptian expatriate and a Saudi citizen in two separate cities for harassing women. Their full names were revealed, marking the start of this public identification policy.

Latest Case

The latest announcement was made on May 14, naming a Saudi man accused of harassing two women in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The convict, whose nationality was not disclosed, was fined SR150,000. Details about the time and location of the incident were not provided by prosecutors.

Penalties for Harassment

Under Saudi law, sexual harassment is punishable by:

. Up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of SR100,000, or both.
. Penalties increase to up to five years in prison and a fine of SR300,000 for repeat offences or when the act is committed in public.

Irreversible Legal Punishment

Saudi authorities have stated that legal punishment for sexual harassment is irreversible, even if the victims renounce their rights or do not file a legal complaint. The penalties are particularly severe if the victim is a child, a person with special needs, or is unconscious at the time of the incident, with punishments of up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of SR300,000.

Reforms and Women's Rights

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has intensified efforts to combat harassment and enhance women's rights as part of broader reforms in the kingdom.