Corpun file 7353 at www.corpun.com

CNN.com, 1 July 2001

Floggings bring shopping to standstill at Saudi mall

The three youths were lashed 15 times each for chasing girls at the mall, failing to pray during prayer time and threatening religious police officers, Al-Watan newspaper reported.

Officials announced the punishment several times over the mall's loudspeaker system, delaying its implementation to give shoppers time to gather, the paper said.

The flogging caused such a scene that shopping at the Al-Rashid mall in Khobar came to a standstill as the three were punished.

The newspaper didn't say when the floggings took place or when the violations occurred.

The religious police are responsible for ensuring the observation of the conservative interpretation of Islam practiced in the kingdom. This includes enforcing requirements that during the five daily prayers, shops are closed and Muslim men attend prayers.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Courts routinely order lashings and hand amputations for theft and other crimes, and public executions for murder, rape and drug trafficking.

Corpun file 7896 at www.corpun.com

Arab News, Jeddah/Riyadh/Dhahran, 8 July 2001

Doctor caned for molesting colleague

DAMMAM, 8 July -- The Court of Cassation in Dammam has sentenced a Saudi doctor to 95 lashes after he was found guilty of molesting a female colleague at a government hospital, Al-Watan newspaper reported yesterday. Earlier, a summary court sentenced the doctor to 50 lashes and barred him a salary increment. Hospital officials had demanded his suspension. (AN)