The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced on Monday that chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Ahmad al-Khatib, had been removed from his position, citing a royal decree, without giving a reason.
The pro-government Sabq news website, however, said al-Khatib was dismissed over a circus performance in Riyadh, which included women wearing indecent clothes.
An Arabic hashtag on Twitter that translates as “Naked Russian Women in Riyadh” was trending in Saudi Arabia over the weekend with many blasting the appearance of the Russian female performers, including a trapeze artist, in body-hugging leotards.
According to the entertainment authority’s ticketing website, the circus was scheduled to run for five days and it’s meant to coincide with the presence of the Saudi national team at the World Cup in Russia. It’s yet to be confirmed if the show has been cancelled.
Ahmed al-Khatib was in charge of entertainment authority which was formed two years ago in a bid to encourage more musical shows in the country.
