A Saudi Arabian actress has sparked outrage by suggesting that prisoners should be used as lab rats for medical experiments amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maram Abdulaziz said on Twitter for her army of followers: “If it was up to me, I would not waste money on food and drink by imprisoning those who have been detained – especially on [national] security grounds.
“I would make them [undergo] experiments for new medicines even if the results are not guaranteed.
“This would serve as punishment for them, but would also benefit the state.”
Abdulaziz added: “Better them than mice and monkeys who have not harmed us.”
The Saudi actress’s comments sparked outrage online and one netizen said: “All prisoners, irrespective of charges against them, are tried according to the laws in the country they are in. They are lives entrusted with the authorities and not lab rats.”
Following an online backlash, Abdulaziz responded: “First of all, I have been donating stem cells for a long time and have also registered to donate my organs after death.
“Secondly, clinical trials require health people – this does not apply to me. Rest assured, I am not one that preaches but doesn’t practice.”
According to local media, she deleted her first controversial tweet.
Earlier this week, famous Kuwaiti actress Hayat al-Fahad, 71, sparked outrage by calling for foreigners to be kicked out of the oil-rich country so locals are guaranteed a hospital bed if they contract COVID-19.
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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