JEDDAH: The prosecutor in the case of a woman journalist who was handed 60 lashes for her role in an LBC program covering the sex exploits of a Saudi man has appealed the ruling and called for a harsher punishment.

Suleiman Al-Jumaei, lawyer for sex braggart Mazen Abdul Jawad, said the prosecutor appealed the sentence handed to LBC media person R.A., one of seven accused in the case.

“The public prosecutor challenged the punishment of 60 lashes saying it was too light and not in sync with her role as a coordinator and the one who prepared and advertised the program,” said Al-Jumaei.

“The verdict, however, is only at its primary stage. It will not be executed without the approval of the appeals court. The court may either uphold or revoke it,” he added.

He also expressed his worry at how slowly the Disputes Committee for Publications is dealing with Abdul Jawad’s complaint against the LBC. The complaint was submitted three months ago to the committee, which operates under the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Abdul Jawad claims that the LBC edited and re-contextualized a long video shoot into a short segment to present him in the worst possible light.

“LBC has violated printing and publications regulations by portraying Abdul Jawad in a bad manner, particularly as it goes against the religious values and traditions of Saudi Arabia. It was the channel that violated these values first when it filmed the segment. The channel also violated Saudi law by operating from an unlicensed Jeddah office,” he said.

He added that if the Disputes Committee for Publications does not carry out its job properly then his client has the right to sue the Ministry of Culture and Information for damages.

“When the committee’s decision comes, I will study it and pursue the channel anywhere in the world if it is in the interests of my client,” he said. The lawyer has also submitted an additional petition to the committee urging it to pass judgment quickly.

The Ministry of Culture and Information says it has forwarded Abdul Jawad’s complaint to the Disputes Committee for Publications, which would only examine whether there are violations of regulations pertaining to printing and publication.

Arab News failed to get any comment on the matter from the channel’s office. Malik Maktabi, the host of “Bold Red Line,” said in an earlier statement that he was not authorized to comment on the case.