MAIL ONLINE: Twenty Saudi teenagers who ransacked shops and restaurants have been publicly flogged.
Human rights activists and liberals condemned the beatings in Khobar and Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia.
It was not clear what lay behind the rampage other than possible frustration at the strict laws and traditions of the Islamic kingdom.
'This terrible event reflects the need to allow more space for the youth in terms of sport clubs, movie theatres and recreation facilities,' said Abdullah al-Alami, a columnist who lives in Khobar.
Newspapers reported that the teenagers received at least 30 lashes each in a public square.
They gave different accounts of the incident, with some journals saying teenagers had urged officials to give more attention to youngsters with little to do.
Others reported that the youths had targeted Western brands thinking they had links to Israel.
The rampage took place on Saudi national day last week.
A police spokesman in the eastern province declined to comment, saying he was not authorised to talk to foreign media.
The interior ministry also declined to comment.
The Eastern Province is home to most of the country's massive oil wealth.
The bulk of Saudi Arabia's Shi'ite minority, which has long complained of discrimination, also lives there.
The staunch U.S. ally is a monarchy which has no parliament and where public protests are banned. >>> | Tuesday, September 29, 2009
