JEDDAH: The Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution has referred a businesswoman to the criminal court in Jeddah for lying, cheating and fraud. The first court session in the case is expected to commence within the next few days.

According to the prosecution, the Moral and Honor Department in the bureau has finished investigating the woman who was arrested by Jeddah police after she presented a letter requesting to hold a party for the employees of her company on its first anniversary. The party was supposed to include specific activities, which comprised a welcome note, a Powerpoint presentation, an acknowledgement of the employees and distribution of gifts, as well as a dinner in a large hall. The agreement was issued on condition that she abides by Shariah rules and other regulatory conditions, such as keeping men separate from women.

Later on, it became clear from a letter from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, that the program included a concert for an artist. The celebration was published on social media, but no mention was made of an official approval of the concert. The bureau reviewed a copy of the letters of the woman as well as parts of the social media posts, which were posted on Instagram. Tickets for the event were being sold for SR350.

Upon questioning the defendant, she admitted that she is the owner of the establishment and she wished to celebrate her achievements. She added that she applied for permission to hold a celebration in one of the halls, and advertised it on social media. She printed 500 tickets and sold 300, and coordinated with an artist to go and hold a concert, telling the concerned authorities she believed she was not doing anything wrong.

The investigations ended with the woman being accused of fraud, cheating, lack of credibility and lying to government authorities, for the purpose of holding a concert.

The public prosecutor considered her actions as a prohibited deed punishable by law, and demanded to prove the charges and pass a deterrence sentence.