Saudi Arabia is preparing legislation that would allow judges to use alternative sentences to jail for minor crimes such as flirting with women.
The alternative sentencing law is expected to halve the number of prisoners in the kingdom.
It could also apply to crimes such as fighting and some cases of domestic violence.
The legislation would be ready by the end of the year and would be implemented six months after it is approved, a source in the Ministry of Justice told the Saudi Gazette.
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