Saudi Arabia is considering allowing the sale of alcohol to non-Muslim diplomats for the first time, two sources close to the matter told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Alcohol will be “sold to non-Muslim diplomats,” who until now could only get it through a “diplomatic bag,” one of the sources said.

Consumption or possession of alcohol, prohibited by Islam, is punishable in Saudi Arabia by fines, imprisonment, public flogging and expulsion from the country for foreigners.

Recent social reforms in the kingdom (such as access to concerts and the opening of cinemas), as well as the planned hosting of major events such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, have fueled speculation that alcohol restrictions could be lifted, although authorities have ruled out any changes at this stage.

In a statement from the Saudi Arabian government on Wednesday, it said that the authorities are introducing “a new regulatory framework (…) to combat the illegal trade in goods and alcoholic products received by diplomatic missions.”

The new program will allow “to allocate a certain amount of alcohol products when entering the kingdom.” The aim is to end the “unregulated” procedure that has led to the “uncontrolled exchange of these products in the Kingdom”.

Although alcohol is strictly prohibited in the Kingdom, alcoholic beverages are served at foreign missions in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, and some residents produce their own wine.

Others turn to the black market, where the price of a bottle of whiskey can reach several hundred dollars on New Year’s Eve.