RIYADH: The Ministry of Interior released a statement Saturday reiterating its declaration dated 30/12/2008 which it said “bans outright all forms of demonstrations marches, standing protests and calls to such” and declares them “opposed to the principles of Islamic Shariah and the customs of Saudi society”. Ministry spokesman Mansour Al-Turki said that such acts are “in breach of public law and damage public and private interest”. “They are an infringement on the rights of others and cause chaos which leads to bloodshed and theft and exposes public and private property to damage,” Al-Turki said in the statement. “The current laws and values in our society governed by the law of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet contain legitimate means of expression and open doors for communication at all levels in all matters related to public interest. The security forces are authorized by law to take all necessary measures against anyone who attempts to break the law in any way whatsoever.”
