A lawsuit has been filed against three Saudi youths for “openly declaring sin” in an MTV reality show that aired in May, said an official at a Jeddah court.

He added that it would take at least one week for the Islamic sharia court to decide whether to proceed with a trial or dismiss the case.

MTV's 'True Life - Resist the Power, Saudi Arabia' followed how three Saudi youths and a heavy metal band cope with the strictures they encounter in their daily life in Jeddah.

'We are not free to live as we like,' said Aziz, one of the youths who appeared on the MTV show.

The episode showed how he tries to meet his girlfriend for a date. "I feel great solace when I talk to her,” he added.

Fatima, a young Saudi woman, seeks to start a business selling the traditional abaya cloak that women must wear in Saudi Arabia, but in colours other than the standard black.

The show also followed the struggle of a heavy metal band to find venues to play.

Lawyers following the case fear the first instance court in Jeddah -- where the lawsuit was filed on Monday -- would take the case.

'It will be very difficult to stop the religious clockwork once this gets to court. They may face harsh sanctions,' one of the lawyers said. – Reuters