Saudi Arabia has condemned Sunday’s shooting at a gay bar in Orlando, even though it criminalizes homosexuality.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned in “the strongest terms the attack on innocent people in Orlando, Florida, and sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and to the people of the United States,” said ambassador to the United States Abdullah Al-Saud in a statement released Sunday.
An assailant killed 49 people after opening fire in a crowded Orlando gay nightclub on Saturday. It was reported that Omar Mateen, 29, pledged allegiance during the attack to Islamic State, while a former coworker described him as “homophobic.” It is the deadliest mass shooting incident in U.S. history.
“We stand with the American people at this tragic time. We pray for the recovery and the healing of all those injured in the attack, and we will continue our work with the United States and our partners in the international community for an end to these senseless acts of violence and terror,” said Al-Saud.
According to a June 2015 International Business Times report, police in Saudi Arabia raided “gay parties” and arrested several people on suspicion of homosexuality. Saudi Arabian prosecutors have recommended applying the death penalty against men convicted of sodomy, reported the Mirror in April 2016.
