‘Blasphemous’ Saudi man referred to psychiatric hospital

Sources in the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution (BIP) said a citizen accused of blasphemy would be referred to a mental hospital for examination.

“After five days, the head of the BIP branch will extend the detention of the suspect to allow for his transfer to the general prison, according to legal procedures in such cases," a source told Al-Hayat daily.

The source said there is still some sides of the case that need to be clarified and the accused has admitted to the allegations of blasphemy and is believed to be mentally sound.

"The role of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) has finished and it should not be involved in the case further, especially as there are some details that the Haia is not aware of," the source added.

However, Haia sources said the commission had the right to be involved in the case.

"Haia has forwarded a CD to the BIP that contains the video recordings of the man’s actions," a commission source said.

Haia sources pointed out that the accused was previously detained more than two years ago on similar charges.

This article was first published in the Saudi Gazette.