Saudi Arabia Launches Crackdown on Prostitution and Begging Amid Growing Controversy

This comes just days after the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the establishment of a special security unit to combat human trafficking and moral deviations—a move that has sparked widespread controversy between supporters and opponents.

Amid these events, accusations have intensified against the head of the Saudi Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh. Many believe that the entertainment policies pursued by the Saudi regime under his leadership have contributed to the spread of these phenomena.

Critics argue that what Al-Sheikh describes as openness has instead led to an unprecedented surge in practices that contradict Saudi customs and traditions, pushing the kingdom into an unfamiliar wave of moral decline.

The arrests have involved more than 50 people, most of whom are foreigners. Riyadh police apprehended three expatriates accused of engaging in prostitution in a hotel, while Jeddah police arrested five expatriates working in a massage center allegedly used for unethical purposes. Additionally, 14 Yemenis were detained on charges of exploiting 27 children for begging, and a man and two women were arrested in the Qassim region for allegedly being involved in sex work.

Although Saudi authorities justify these measures as efforts to combat human trafficking and protect personal rights, human rights organizations have warned that this new unit could be used for security and political purposes. They argue that its broad scope could lead to arbitrary arrests and the suppression of dissidents under the guise of combating moral crimes.

As the debate over the spread of sex and prostitution in Saudi Arabia continues, many are left wondering: Will Riyadh succeed in containing this crisis, or will the new entertainment policies only make matters worse?