बेस्तिअलिटी

Essam Al-Ghalib and Mohammed Rudaian
Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – An Egyptian man found himself being chased through Al-Balad District by five Saudi citizens, two journalists and a news photographer after being caught in the act of selling pornographic movies to the public.

Quick on his feet and managing to avoid arrest, he is currently being sought by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice for downloading, copying and distributing CDs featuring Indian, Arabic, and western hardcore sex films, some with rape scenes, some shot with hidden-cameras and others featuring bestiality.

As part of an investigation into black-market products in Jeddah, a 20 year-old Saudi Gazette intern, over the past week, purchased nine discs from the porno dealer for SR90.

On Thursday night, the intern returned to the same man, but this time with a photographer and two journalists who covertly photographed the transaction taking place from a distance.

“Sex, sex, sex”, is what the Egyptian suspect whispers to young male passersby, who have come to know the shopping arcade, located under the Saba Hotel, as the place to purchase all kinds of movies including the latest releases from America, Europe and Bollywood.

“When I went to the Egyptian, he recognized me from a few days earlier and immediately approached and asked me what movies I wanted today,” the intern who wishes to not be identified told Saudi Gazette. “When I told him I wanted more sex movies, he told me to hold on a minute. He then walked over to where he hides the discs, selected four and was paid SR40 for them all.”

When approached by journalists, moments after the transaction, the suspect got scared and took off running. Those shopping in the crowded arcade witnessed the commotion, as the frightened dealer knocked people aside, and to the ground, as he ran to escape what he thought was imminent arrest.

Five young Saudis in their twenties saw the incident unfold in front of them, and took it upon themselves to make a citizen’s arrest taking off after the sex film vendor on foot, across a football pitch and across two main roads. Mistaking Saudi Gazette’s photographer for the porno film dealer, the young Saudi men surrounded the photographer and held him until journalists could catch up. By the time the confusion was sorted out and the Gazette’s photographer released, the Egyptian man was long gone.

“We saw one person running and two others chasing him, and thought he was a pickpocket and so we decided to help,” said 22 year-old Mounir, the one who captured the Gazette’s photographer.

When it was explained to him that it was the Egyptian we were after, he apologized profusely. Mounir was then shown a photograph of the man and said, “Everybody knows this guy. His name is Mohammed. He is Egyptian, lives on Palestine Street and has been selling movies for a long time.”

When told that the Egyptian man sold pornographic films of Arabs, Indians and animals, Mounir and those who took part in the chase were angered and said they would keep an eye out for him.

On Saturday, Mohammed was surprised to receive a call on his mobile from Saudi Gazette.

“Why did you chase me,” he asked.

“Why are you selling pornographic movies,” was the answer he got.

“I don’t sell any movies at all, especially pornographic ones,” Mohammed said.

“Then why did you run?” he was asked.

He said: “I don’t know, I just felt like running.”

He was advised that his photograph, the pornographic CDs he sold to the Gazette’s intern, and the video-recording of the transaction would be delivered to the Balad District headquarters of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice to investigate.

“Do what you want, I am not scared, and you will see what happens to you,” Mohammed threatened. “I only sell normal movies, not sex films,” contradicting what he said earlier.

When emailed the pictures in the Gazette’s possession, Mohammed became more cooperative admitting that he sold normal pirated films but not pornographic ones. He was advised that he should avoid the Balad District entirely as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were looking for him.

Members of the Commission have agreed to work with Saudi Gazette to tackle this and other un-Islamic practices happening in the Balad District.