JUST IN: Saudi Arabia ends flogging as punishment

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Saudi Arabia ends flogging as punishment

Saudi Arabia has ended the archaic punishment of flogging convicts, according to a directive by the General Commission for the Supreme Court.

Alarabiya.net reported that the courts will now limit punishments to jail time or fines.

The elimination of flogging is the latest step taken by the Kingdom to modernise the judicial system.

Under Sharia, flogging falls under the category of Tazir, punishment dispensed for offences not specified in the Quran or Hadith.