Part 4/10:
This societal liberalization was evident on global stages: for example, American pop icon Jennifer Lopez performed in Riyadh, and fashion shows featuring international models became visible signs of change. However, alongside these reforms, the regime tightened its grip on power. Critics, dissidents, and activists faced arrest, imprisonment, and even death sentences, drawing international condemnation. Human rights groups accuse Saudi authorities of severe abuses, and although Riyadh dismisses such claims, the internal repression persists.