Up to 15-year jail for sports hooligans suggested

Jurists and counselors have suggested harsh legal measures against sports club fans found encouraging extremism, particularly those who use children to achieve this, as well as those who rally to carry out acts of sabotage and assault of various kinds.
Legal counselor Mohammad Al-Whaibi told local media that the use of children to disseminate hatred and extremism, whether forced or coerced by the parents, the teacher at his or her school, or any other authority, is a crime that falls under the provisions of human trafficking laws which involve sanctions of up to 15 years in prison.
"If such acts are accompanied by indecent behavior, comments and remarks contrary to public policy or morality, then the system of 'information crime' applies, and generally involves sanctions of 5 years of prison and a fine of SR3 million", he said.
Taleb Al-Taleb, a former judge, said that fans of sports clubs found assaulting people will be treated as criminals. "Using children to implement such crimes is a crime in itself, even if that child is willing to act by himself. Our religion and laws forbid assaulting other Muslim souls and properties," said Al-Taleb, adding that any person under 18 years of age is a child.
The system, he said, has considered disseminating extremist phrases and acts electronically. Regardless, producing or circulating this material is a crime that falls under the system of information crimes.
He explained that the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution is the body that represents the rights of the public before the Criminal Court on this issue. "Being active in sports is good, even in cases where it appears to be strong and enthusiastic, but other times it gets nasty and leads to aggression and assaults."
Lawyer Sultan Al-Makhelfi said that sports extremism falls within the crimes of libel and defamation of others. "Article 3 of the system criminalizes the offensive with severe sanctions", he added.
He cited some of the acts considered sports extremism, including raising banners and slogans, or harassment of others by exploiting their weaknesses, abuse of authorities, fraud and deception, or alluring others with money to act violently during a sporting event.
"Article 1 of the laws of human trafficking stipulate a prison sentence of 15 years and/or a fine of SR1 million for any person accused of such offenses", he said.
Makhelfi called on authorities to impose the most severe punishments on those involved in sports hooliganism.