Muslim activist in Saudi Arabia was arrested due to publishing book which criticize Saudi royal family

News24xx.com - The Saudi authorities arrested the influential Muslim intellectual, Safar al-Hawali, along with his three sons. The arrest came after Hawali released a book which contained a critism to the Saudi royal family.

As reported by Reuters on Friday, July 13th 2018, news of the arrest of Al-Hawali was revealed by ALQST, a Saudi group of human rights defenders based in London, England. Rights activist from ALQST, Yahya Assiri, told Reuters that Al-Hawali was arrested on Wednesday, July 11th 2018.

It was also mentioned by ALQST that Al-Hawali was arrested after he released a book which criticize the Saudi royal family. The figure of Al-Hawali himself is known to often criticize the Kingdom of Arabia in the past. Another group of human rights activists also reported the capture of Al-Hawali, citing sources close to him.

Saudi authorities have not provided confirmation or response regarding the arrest. The Saudi authorities affirmed earlier that they had no political prisoners. Although senior Saudi officials say monitoring of activists is necessary to maintain social stability.

The Saudi Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), is widely praised for his economic and social reforms. But there are fears about the detention of women activists which fought for human rights and anti-corruption operations that he launched last year.

Critics say MBS does not do much freed politics in Arabia, where the royal family enjoys full power. He is also accused of deliberately targeting those who oppose him.

 

 

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