SAUDIS OFFICIALLY ADMIT ARRESTING POPULAR BLOGGER IN JEDDAH
January 2nd 2008 10:53
The Saudi Interior Ministry admitted on Tuesday that a popular internet blogger who criticises official corruption and advocates government reform has been detained by police for questioning, according to the Voice of America.
The ministry confirmed the December 10 arrest of blogger Fouad al-Farhan, which was first reported last week on the internet. A ministry spokesman said Farhan was detained in Jeddah for violating rules not related to state security. He did not elaborate.
The English-language daily Arab News said authorities have not informed Farhan's family of any criminal charges against the writer.
The New York Times said the “outspoken” Saudi blogger is being held for “purposes of interrogation.”
The newspaper said, “General Mansour al-Turki, an Interior Ministry spokesman reached by telephone, said that the blogger, Fouah al-Farhan, was ‘being questioned about specific violations of non-security laws.’ Mr. Farhan’s blog, which discusses social issues, had become one of the most widely read in Saudi Arabia.
“Since his arrest, friends of Mr. Farhan have continued to blog on his behalf under a banner that reads “Free Fouad’ and features his picture. The blog’s web address is www.alfarhan.org.
“‘The issue that caused all of this is because I wrote about the political prisoners here in Saudi Arabia, and they think I’m running an online campaign promoting their issue,’ the letter continued, noting that Mr. Farhan had been asked to sign a statement of apology.”
- From MediaBlab
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