Riyadh denies 312 women held in anti-vice sweep

Manama: Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Dubai has denied online reports that more than 300 Saudi women had been arrested for soliciting and engaging in illicit relations with Arab and foreign men.

“The reports are baseless and we at the consulate categorically reject the unfounded allegations,” Emad Madani, the General Consul, said in a statement carried by Saudi news site Sabq.

A report attributed to Sabq and circulated online claimed that 312 Saudi women had been apprehended during the raids.

According to the report, the Saudi women arrested in compromising situations were being quizzed by the local authorities in the presence of Saudi diplomats.

Sabq said that it would take legal action against those who used its name to launch the rumours.

Most comments on Sabq news site said that the allegations were part of a drive targeting Saudi Arabia.