Two Saudi women sentenced for using'obscene words' in WhatsApp

Two Saudi women were sentenced to 10 days in prison and 20 lashes for using "impermissible expressions" in their WhatsApp conversation, Saudi Al-Watan newspaper reported.

One of the young women came to the Criminal Court in Jeddah and accused the other of using abusive expressions during their WhatsApp conversation. She then showed her phone at the Court's request to prove her words. During the next session, the court confirmed that the woman had indeed sent obscene messages to the other, but the defendant said she was not the first to start the hassle and showed a message which she received from her counterpart two months ago.

The court then referred the case to a higher instance and one month later, the judge decided that the two girls were equally guilty and punished both of them. 

The women will spend 10 days in prison and receive 20 lashes each. Both of them could face a much more severe punishment if the incident is repeated, a source close to the investigation told the newspaper.