http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/08/200989141422712822.html
Sunday, August 09, 2009
19:16 Mecca time, 16:16 GMT
'Sex interview' shocks Saudi Arabia
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have closed the Jeddah office of a
Lebanon-based television network after it aired an interview with a Saudi man
apparently discussing his sexual encounters.
A government spokesman announced the move on Sunday, saying that the
closure of the Jeddah office of satellite station LBC was indefinite.
The controversy stems from a July 15 episode of LBC's "Ahmar Bilkhat
al-Areed", or Bold Red Lines programme, in which a Saudi man spoke frankly
about sex while the programme showed off erotic toys.
Abdul-Jawad, the Saudi man interviewed by LBC, shocked conservative Saudi
Arabia by recounting details of his sexual exploits.
The divorced father of four spoke to camera from his bedroom in Jeddah
about how couples can spice up their sex lives.
"Everything happens in this room," he said, before launching into
descriptions of foreplay techniques and tricks for cruising women on the
streets of Jeddah.
He was arrested soon afterwards and has subsequently begged forgiveness
from Saudi society, a report from the Associated Press said.
Sulaiman al-Jumeii, Abdul-Jawad's lawyer, insists the interview was
manipulated, saying his client was not aware in many instances that he was
being recorded and that the sex toys were provided by the LBC staff.
LBC is part-owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a Saudi billionaire.
Abdul-Jawad has been charged with publicising vice and lawyers say he may
face the death penalty.
Like many Arab countries, Saudi Arabia prohibits sexually explicit
content on television and in newspapers, magazines and books.
In Beirut, Pierre Daher, who heads LBC, maintained his company's
no-comment policy since the controversy erupted and has refused to confirm or
deny the closure.
