Crown Prince Salman takes BIG Move to prevent ‘wrongdoing’ in Saudi Arabia, over 50 arrested for prostitution and…, Saudi government now plans to…

The unit has also arrested several foreigners for engaging in "immoral activities" in massage parlors and for forcing women and children to beg.

Riyadh: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has established a unit to monitor ‘immoral activities’ in Saudi Arabia and to apprehend those involved in such acts. The special police unit has reportedly arrested more than 50 people on charges of prostitution and begging. This new unit of the Ministry of Interior has been specifically created to address community security and human trafficking. The arrests come at a time when the Saudi government is easing strict social regulations.

The Financial Times has reported that this new unit has arrested 11 women on charges of prostitution. It is important to note that this is the first time in more than a decade that Saudi authorities have publicly acknowledged the presence of prostitution in the country. The unit has also arrested several foreigners for engaging in “immoral activities” in massage parlors and for forcing women and children to beg.

Why this new unit?

To recall, the Saudi government had earlier constituted a religious police force, the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. The force was made to enforce the moral codes. However, in 2016, the Saudi government reduced its powers. The move was seen as part of Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to diversify the economy and ease strict social and religious regulations. This new unit is being compared with the committee formed earlier.

The actual reason behind the creation of this new unit is not clear. Semi-governmental Okaz Daily columnist Khalid Al-Suleiman says that the Community Security Unit has been established due to a rise in alleged violations of morality. Advertisements for such activities have been appearing on social media platforms, damaging the image of Saudi society. As a result, pressure on the government increased to put a stop to it, leading to the formation of this unit.

Many people have welcomed this move. Social media users believe that taking action against human trafficking, drug abuse, and prostitution is a good step.