Photography is strictly prohibited in the store, and mobile phones must be kept in secure pouches to prevent their use while in the venue.

Saudi Arabia has opened its first alcohol store in the diplomatic quarter of its capital Riyadh, two sources told CNBC.

The news, which has not been officially confirmed by the Saudi government, marks a major breakthrough for the highly conservative Muslim theocracy where alcohol has been banned since 1952.

According to a list of store rules seen by CNBC, the venue is only accessible to non-Muslim diplomats, and authorization must be validated through an app called Diplo.

No guests or people under the age of 21 are allowed to accompany authorized visitors to the store, photography is strictly prohibited and mobile phones need to be kept in secure “mobile pouches” so as not to be used while in the store. Purchases are also subject to a monthly quota system per registered individual.

    • Deceptichum
      6•10 months ago

      Uh for a controlled substance? Yes it is.

      I can’t buy weed in my country without it being put through a database. The only difference here is that the people allowed to buy the substance aren’t the citizens of the country.

      • @Squizzy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0•10 months ago

        Do you have an allotment assigned to you and recorded against your name? Also just because it happens to you doesn’t mean it is right either.

        • Deceptichum
          5•10 months ago

          Yes, and yes. I think it was like 100g in 3 months or something, I hit it once but for some reason I can’t remember exactly how much it was.

          It’s not right, but it’s a slight step up from zero at all ever.