Saudi Animation Producer Sentenced to 13 Years for Promoting Homosexuality on Netflix

Saudi Arabian television producer Abdulaziz Almuzaini has been sentenced to imprisonment and a travel ban by an anti-terrorism court due to his Netflix animated series. In a video published on the online service X, Almuzaini explained that he was convicted of promoting homosexuality by the kingdom’s Special Criminal Court and given a 13-year sentence followed by a 13-year travel ban. This led to the closure of his company, Myrkott Animation Studio, and the layoffs of staff.

Almuzaini made a direct appeal to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, hoping for a correction of his situation. The Wall Street Journal reported that court documents referenced online posts by Almuzaini where he mocked the Arab regime or advocated for women’s rights. However, neither the authorities nor Almuzaini were available for comment on the matter.

His Netflix series “Masameer County”, launched in 2021, humorously depicts a changing Saudi Arabia and tackles social taboos, including the sensitive topic of homosexuality. Critics have denounced Saudi Arabia’s harsh crackdown on online criticism, citing the case of two women sentenced to lengthy prison terms in 2022 for critical online posts.