Crackdown on homosexuality: Saudi authorities seize rainbow toys

Saudi officials have been seizing rainbow-coloured toys and clothing from shops in the capital Riyadh as part of a crackdown on homosexuality.

State media An Al-Ekhbariya report showed commerce ministry officials removing a range of items from shops. They included hair clips, pop-its, t-shirts, hats and pencil cases, and other items mostly meant for children.

The report did not detail how many shops were targeted or items seized.

The commerce ministry tweeted separately that its teams were confiscating what it called "products that contain symbols and signs calling for deviation and contradicting common sense".

Under the country's interpretation of Islamic law, consensual same-sex sexual conduct is punishable by death or flogging, depending on the perceived seriousness of the case.