Riyadh Season is one of the largest entertainment events in the region, attracting millions of visitors annually from inside and outside Saudi Arabia. With such a massive turnout, the supervisory and security roles of the Public Prosecution and Saudi security authorities become crucial to ensure a safe and organized environment that upholds rights and enforces laws with firmness and fairness.

1. The Preventive and Supervisory Role of Security Agencies

The Ministry of Interior, through its various sectors such as Public Security, Security Patrols, and the Police, oversees the areas and venues where events are held. This role includes:

  • Regulating entry and exit to prevent overcrowding and ensure visitors’ safety.

  • Preventing non-compliant behaviors such as unauthorized gatherings, altercations, or unapproved filming.

  • Monitoring commercial activities to ensure vendors and organizers comply with official regulations and guidelines.

  • Protecting public and private property from vandalism or damage, in accordance with the Public Facilities Protection Law.

These efforts are managed through unified operations rooms equipped with modern surveillance systems to ensure rapid response to any security report or emergency.

2. The Public Prosecution’s Jurisdiction in Oversight and Investigation

The Public Prosecution plays a central role in protecting visitors’ rights by supervising the enforcement of criminal laws and handling violations related to the events, such as:

  • Harassment, assault, or abuse, whether physical or verbal — classified as major crimes warranting detention under executive regulations.

  • Unauthorized photography or publishing of content that violates others’ privacy, which falls under the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

  • Commercial fraud or ticket price manipulation, with cases referred to the Public Prosecution under the Anti-Commercial Fraud Law.

The Public Prosecution also cooperates with the General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Interior to receive reports from visitors or organizers through official platforms such as “Kollona Amn” (We Are All Security) and “Balagh Tijari” (Commercial Report).

3. Ensuring Legal Rights for Visitors and Offenders

Judicial authorities in the Kingdom adhere to the principle of rule of law and protection of individual rights, ensuring that every person — whether visitor or violator — enjoys legal guarantees under the Criminal Procedures Law, including:

  • No one may be detained except under a lawful order.

  • The accused must be informed of their rights upon arrest.

  • The right to communicate with a lawyer during investigation.

These procedures ensure justice and transparency in handling all cases that arise during the events.

4. Legal Penalties for Violations

The Public Prosecution and security authorities impose penalties according to the type of violation. The main penalties include:

  • Fines and imprisonment for crimes such as harassment or assault.

  • Up to 5 million SAR fine and up to 5 years in prison for misuse of photos or publishing them without consent, based on Article 3 of the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

  • Closure or license withdrawal for commercial or environmental violations during events.

5. Coordination Between Agencies to Protect Visitors

Visitor protection is achieved through continuous coordination among:

  • The Public Prosecution – investigates crimes and files criminal cases.

  • The Police and Security Patrols – enforce field arrests and execute orders.

  • The Ministry of Commerce – monitors compliance of businesses with licensing regulations.

  • The General Entertainment Authority – oversees administrative and organizational aspects of events.

Conclusion

The judicial and security efforts during Riyadh Season are not merely administrative measures — they are the foundation for ensuring public safety and protecting visitors from violations.
The presence of an integrated system led by the Public Prosecution and security agencies reinforces visitors’ trust and confirms that entertainment in Saudi Arabia moves forward hand in hand with the rule of law and respect for rights.