Talk show host, guest to be tried for insulting King Abdullah

DUBAI (Web Desk) - A television talk show has been taken off the air and two people have been referred to the public prosecution upon orders from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Gulf News reported quoting Saudi news site Sabq on Friday.

Muhsen Al Awaji and Abdullah Al Mudaifer will most likely face charges of insulting former Saudi king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud who died in January.

During the television talk show hosted by Saudi presenter Al Mudaifer on Rotana television, Al Awaji reportedly uttered negative remarks about the former king who ruled the country from August 2005 until 2015.

The show, “Fi Al Sameem” (At the core), hosts public figures and interviews them over various issues.

According to Sabq, the decision to take the programme off the air and take legal action against the two men was “a clear indication that the kingdom was moving ahead steadily and that rulers built on achievements accomplished by their predecessors.”

“The kings of Saudi Arabia do not accept to be praised and lauded by insulting the kings who preceded them. Such values have been upheld since the establishment of the kingdom and they will not be altered or changed,” Sabq said, quoting sources.