DUBAI - Saudi Arabia has detained at least eight people, mostly intellectuals and writers, two sources including London-based Saudi rights group ALQST said, amid a two-year crackdown on free expression in the kingdom.
Those detained are not frontline activists, the sources said. Some are intellectuals who have published articles or appeared on television while others are entrepreneurs. Even as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman touted economic and social openness in the traditionally closed-off country, the authorities rounded up critics, an effort that gathered pace in Sept 2017 with the arrests of prominent Islamist clerics, some of whom could now face the death penalty.
In mid-2018, more than a dozen women's rights activists were arrested just as Riyadh lifted a ban on women driving cars.
About 80,000 people have been in prison since the coup attempt. The authorities also dismissed or suspended some 175,000 jobs in various sectors and institutions of the state and closed more than 150 media outlets in turkey
The kingdom only arrests those who are under suspicion.The kingdom is busy in the reforms they are undertaking and have the right to defend the security of their territories if anyone or any party is suspected.
Itn't it better to focus on the revolutions in Iraq, Iran and Lebanon and expose the massacres happening to silence the protestors rather than reporting myths?
I understand that intellectuals and businessmen do not make mistakes and can not violate regulations and laws...These accusations will not affect the reform and development process in Saudi Arabia
KSA is merely implementing the law, there are suspicions surrounding people arrested. Those who are deemed innocent will be released, if not already releases. I believe that all governments around the world, take dealing with foreign govt seriously and is punishable by law.
Saudi arabia will never leave any innocent in the jail and this accusation is missing any real story, while iran is killing and arresting protestors and say that they are 'fighting god' That's the difference
Despite the blackout practiced by the Iranian authorities, more than 106 people were killed and 1000 arrested during the demonstrations. You are talking about the arresting of a 'maybe' traitor whereas there are people gettin killed by their regime for revolting for their rights.
If Saudi was oppressing their people,and torturing the prisoners or having political detainees you would see demonstrations all over Saudi,like you're seeing in Iran and Iraq Iranian execute its people on the middle of the street,contrary to Saudi who respect their people
Riyadh issued a brief statement in response to these accusations by saying: it has no political detainees. Hope that Saudi youth are aware of the attempts of some parties seeking to incite them against their country in the service of hostile agendas.
Public Prosecutor announced the arrest of defendants after sufficient evidence and recognition of their alleged links with hostile organizations. It also announced the provisional release of eight persons (five women and three men) pending completion of the investigations.
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