Lebanese national, Ahmad Suleiman, has been sitting in a Saudi jail cell since the last Hajj season in September 2015.
The Lebanese man’s alleged crime was insulting Saudi King Salman by sitting on a newspaper with his photo. It is expected Suleiman will be imprisoned for 3-5 years and receive upwards of 300 lashes.
It is not known whether this “insult” was done on purpose or by accident.
Saudi Arabia are extremely vocal in implementing government change in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Yemen, citing brutality and lack the of freedoms as reasons. This jailing once again demonstrates the lack of freedoms in the Gulf autocracy, especially after the execution of peaceful dissident Sheikh Nimr.