A Saudi writer and producer, Abdul Aziz al-Muzaini, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison and faces a 13-year travel ban for his Netflix show and old tweets that allegedly promoted terrorism and homosexuality, sparking controversy and international scrutiny. Al-Muzaini revealed this in a now-deleted video directed at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, criticizing his prosecution by a committee linked to the Saudi audiovisual commission. The charges stemmed from his animated series “Masameer,” which mocks groups like ISIS, and his social media posts dating back to 2010. The case highlights Saudi Arabia’s strict control over entertainment and dissent, amidst recent efforts to improve its global image through cultural reforms.

As reported by Middle East Eye, Abdul Aziz al-Muzaini, a Saudi writer and producer, has revealed that he was sentenced to 13 years in prison and a 13-year travel restriction by a Saudi court two years ago on grounds of encouraging terrorism and homosexuality through his Netflix program and previous tweets.

In a now-deleted video posted on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) last week and addressed to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, al-Muzaini stated that a committee in Saudi Arabia’s audiovisual commission filed charges against him in connection with his popular animated series Masameer in 2021, shortly after it debuted on Netflix.

Al-Muzaini stated that he was questioned by the committee’s chairman, Saad al-Suhaimi, who first questioned his decision to collaborate with Netflix rather than MBC, a Saudi network.

Al-Muzaini informed his interrogator that he had already communicated with Israa Osseiri, the chairman of the General Authority for Audiovisual Media, to ensure that his show did not breach any rules. This caused al-Suhaimi to message Osseiri, instructing her to remain away from the matter.

According to a Royal Court letter issued during the reign of late Saudi King Abdullah, al-Suhaimi’s committee is independent of the broader audiovisual authorities.

Al-Muzaini claimed that his interrogator advised him “not to think that this is it, that there is entertainment now, there is the Riyadh season,” referring to recent advancements in the Saudi entertainment industry and the relaxation of regulations.

“It seems he has found, through me, a person he can exert his authority over,” al-Muzaini said in the video.

The accusations leveled against al-Muzaini include the use of language in his series, with statements like “may God curse you” and “you donkey” constituting a crime.

The final and most serious indictment charges al-Muzaini and his company, Myrcott, of promoting terrorism and homosexuality through the series Masameer.

According to al-Muzaini, his accusers mistook the first episode of his show, which mocked the Islamic State, for an implicit endorsement of the organization.

Al-Suhaimi then presented a series of tweets sent by al-Muzaini between 2010 and 2014, which were utilized to bring additional charges against him.

According to the producer, Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution Service first wanted a 25-year sentence followed by a 25-year travel restriction, but the country’s Terrorism Court reduced both to 13 years last month. The matter is currently being heard by the country’s Supreme Court, according to al-Muzaini.

Before the verdict, Al-Muzaini was reassured by persons who told him that the matter was unworthy and could only be resolved by bureaucratic means. He was also told that al-Suhaimi and everyone who signed the complaints against him had been fired, although al-Suhaimi had been relocated to another committee.

The writer and producer removed his video a few hours after it was posted and shared a post on X citing Bin Salman, claiming he would hold the corrupt accountable.

He then tweeted a message honoring Turki al-Sheikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

Al-Muzaini’s case comes as Saudi Arabia faces criticism from various human rights organizations for allegedly using the entertainment industry to undermine its reputation as an authoritarian ruler.

Last year, GreatGameIndia reported that, according to a report by the Center for Family and Human Rights, 22 countries have joined forces to oppose the Biden administration’s efforts to enforce pro-LGBT sex education on children.