Saudi Arabia will deal strongly with people misusing camera mobiles as a draft bylaw proposed 12-year jail sentence, SR100,000 fine (about $25k USD) and 1,000 lashes for those circulating pornographic photos of women through the phone.

The source said the new law would include a number of regulations to prevent misuse of camera mobile phones in the country. As per the regulations already discussed by the Shoura, a person convicted of distributing pornographic photos will be jailed for three months and fined SR20,000 and his phone will be confiscated.

"If a person repeats the offense, the punishment will be doubled as the jail sentence will be increased to six months and fine to SR40,000," the source said, adding that he will also be given 100 lashes publicly.

If a person commits the same offense for the third time, the punishments would be further doubled, with 12-month jail, SR80,000 fine and 200 lashes. Moreover, his photograph will also be publicized in the press.

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