October 09, 2009

Dumb Saudi Gets Prison, Lashes for Bragging About Sex

(Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) In August, a 32-year-old divorced father-of-four, Abdul-Jawad, was arrested after appearing on a Lebanese television program and shooting his mouth off about his sexual exploits. In addition to boasting of his premarital sexual episodes, he also discussed his pick-up techniques and even displayed some sex toys and lubricants to the viewers. It was a dumb thing to do.

This week, a Saudi court sentenced Abdul-Jawad to five years in prison and 1,000 lashes (not a typo) plus he will have his car and his phone confiscated. When released from prison, he will be barred from traveling, presumably forever.

Lawyers say Abdul-Jawad could have been given the death penalty. Judges, who are clerics of Saudi Arabia's strict Wahhabi school of Islam, have wide powers of discretion.

Abdul-Jawad's brother said it would be difficult for him to be accepted back into society.

In other news, late-night entertainer David Letterman admitted this week to having engaged in extra-marital sex with female members of his staff. As a result, Letterman's program saw an increase in viewership.

By at 01:50 PM | |