GETTY The Saudi government is hoping to impose capital punishment on homosexuals, it has been claimed

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The government in the Sunni Kingdom is reportedly demanding tougher punishments on those found guilty and claimed social media has caused a boom in homosexuality. According to Okaz newspaper, the last six months has seen 35 cases of homosexuality and 50 cases of cross-dressers as well as cases of "sexual perversion” in Saudi Arabia.

GETTY The news has received a backlash on social media

The judiciary reportedly also claimed there has been a large rise in "perverts" displaying "sins and obscenities" on social media in the Sunni Kingdom. It comes after a Saudi man was arrested this week when he raised the rainbow flag outside his home in Jeddah.

GETTY One man was arrested for hoisting the LGBT flag in Saudi Arabia

The doctor was arrested by religious police within hours of hoisting the flag in the port city. But he was released shortly afterwards when he claimed he had no idea what the pride flag symbolised. In addition, Okaz reported that a man in his 50s was arrested for making sexual advances to men online.

He allegedly begged for forgiveness during the police interrogation and said he would not do it again. The calls from the law makers has seen a backlash on social media with some using the hashtag #I_am_gay_will_not_be_deterred. One tweeted: "I stand with the Saudi Arabian LGBT community."

GETTY It is illegal to be gay in Saudi Arabia