Saudi Arabia to open its first alcohol store in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in the capital, Riyadh, which will be exclusively for non-Muslim diplomats.

According to documents and sources familiar with the matter, customers will be required to register via a mobile app, obtain an authorization code from the foreign ministry, and adhere to monthly quotas for their purchases.

LIMITED SALES

Reuters reported that the document it accessed states the new alcohol store will be located in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, where embassies are located and diplomats reside, and that sales will be "strictly limited," even to non-Muslims.

It is not yet clear whether other non-Muslim expatriates living in the country will have access to the store. Millions of foreigners live in Saudi Arabia, but the majority are Muslim workers from Asian countries and Egypt. A source familiar with the plan stated that the store selling alcohol is expected to open in the coming weeks.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia has strict laws against alcohol consumption, which can be punished by hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines, or imprisonment. Foreigners also face the risk of deportation.

However, as part of the reforms implemented in recent years, the punishment of lashing has largely been replaced by prison sentences.

In the country, alcohol can currently only be obtained through diplomatic pouches or on the black market.

While the Riyadh administration has not commented on the matter, state-backed media reported this week that the government has introduced new restrictions on alcohol imports via diplomatic shipments, which could increase demand for the new store.

News Source: 12punto