BREAKING NEWS

Seven Saudis jailed for urging protests on Facebook

By REUTERS

JUNE 30, 2013 15:10

Saudi Arabia has sentenced seven activists from its restive Eastern Province to prison terms ranging from five to 10 years for posting messages on Facebook calling for anti-government protests, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Sunday.

The New York-based rights group urged EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and other European officials who were meeting with Gulf counterparts, including Saudi Arabia, in Manama on Sunday to condemn the convictions.

Eastern Province has seen occasional protests by minority Shi'ite Muslims over the past two years against alleged discrimination and negligence, which the Riyadh government denies.

"Sending people off to years in prison for peaceful Facebook posts sends a strong message that there's no safe way to speak out in Saudi Arabia, even on online social networks," Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director, said in a statement.

"If the EU doesn't raise these cases with Saudi officials this weekend, its silence will look like craven compliance with the rights abuses of an authoritarian state."

US citizen detained in Russia for using obscene language

By REUTERS

05/14/2024 08:21 AM

Egypt considers downgrading diplomatic relations with Israel - report

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

05/14/2024 08:19 AM

Ukraine says it destroyed all 18 drones that Russia launched

By REUTERS

05/14/2024 07:34 AM

Iranian-backed group takes responsibility for UAVs launched at Eilat

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

05/14/2024 07:29 AM