Underage Consumption of Alcohol Possible Punishments?

Alcohol consumption in saudi arabia: punishments and legel help?

• My close friend is in the custody of saudi religious police in city of Buraidh. he is an expatriate (Indian, non Muslim). he was caught by the religious police on 23rd of September 2010 for drinking alcohol. his company did not do anything for his release. now it is up to 2 months. since his company is not helping him, what are the other possible ways for his release? what are the maximum punishments for an expatriate to consume alcohol? the prison authorities told my friend that his company supposed to bring a 'letter' and they didnt do that. if his company is not bringing 'that letter' what will be the next solution? he is permitted to call his family once in a week -just 5 minutes.

• Answer:

  Your friend knows that consuming and producing alcohol is prohibited and against the Saudi law. The punishment for consuming alcohol cannot be more than 1 week in the jail. I'm afraid that your friend is involved in producing and selling alcohol. The Saudi government might send him back to India and forbid him from entering Saudi Arabia again.