Saudi official: 'It is OK to kill owners of immoral TV'

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Sheik Saleh al-Lihedan, 79, was answering listeners’ questions during the daily show “Light in the Path” radio program. One caller asked him about the Islam’s view of the owners of satellite TV channels showing immoral content during the ongoing Ramadan.

Al-Lihedan replied on the radio show:

I want to advise the owners of these channels, who broadcast calls for such indecency and impudence ... and I warn them of the consequences."

He added that these shows trouble the minds of thousands of people.

The local Saudi TV stations show mostly religious based programs during Ramadan, but the other Arab satellite networks are free to show any programs they prefer, such as music videos, which the Muslim conservatives denounce. But many of the networks are owned by Saudi princes and well-connected Saudi businessmen. The religious organizations in Saudi Arabia are mostly funded by royalty.

Al-Lihedan didn’t point out specific TV stations, but this general message is acting as a warning.

Al-Lihedan is chief of the kingdom's highest tribunal, the Supreme Judiciary Council. The council is made up of Islamic clerics, who from time to time issue decrees or fatwas on everyday issues.

He continued about the TV owners and said:

What does the owner of these networks think, when he provides seduction, obscenity and vulgarity? Those calling for corrupt beliefs, certainly it's permissible to kill them... "Those calling for sedition, those who are able to prevent it but don't, it is permissible to kill them.

One of the popular satellite networks, Rotano, which shows movies and music videos, is owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, member of the royal family. He is also the world’s 13th-richest person.

Al-Lihedan also was controversial before when he said that Saudis can join jihadists to fight U.S. troops in Iraq.