This article has a very American view on the whole thing. As a German I would say, we have free speech in Germany. That excludes ad hominem slurs against individuals. You could say „All politicians are assholes“, but if you say „Mr./Mrs. X is an asshole“ it can be prosecuted, if the person files a complaint.

The article states that „While once seen as a robust democracy with strong protections for expression, recent years have seen the country drift into a pattern of censorship, aided by sweeping laws and a growing infrastructure for policing online comments.“

Online censorship comes from another direction. The conservatives push for surveillance laws and buy Palantir software for the police, even when they have no right to use this software.

Criminal indeed. https://www.memri.org/reports/reactions-amended-saudi-press-and-publications-law-banning-insults-public-figures