Saudis ‘ban family’ of detained student from travelling

Saudi Arabian authorities hang imposed a whisk ban on 17 family of prominent student Salman al-Awda, who has been held for practically four months, Human Rights Glance reported.

A member of the Awda family acknowledged in a observation on Sunday that a relative found the ban when he tried to switch away the dominion.

The customs officer reportedly confirmed to the member of the family that the royal palace had imposed the ban for unspecified causes.

Saudi authorities arrested Salman al-Awda, a prominent resolve of the Awakening circulate, on September 7.

The member of the family told HRW that Awda became being held over his refusal to conform with an repeat by Saudi authorities to tweet a snarl textual jabber to reinforce the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar.

As but any other, Awda posted a tweet on September 9, asserting: « Might perchance well maybe additionally God harmonise between their hearts for the steady of their participants » – an apparent demand reconciliation between the Gulf nations, HRW acknowledged.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a boycott in opposition to Qatar on June 5, accusing Doha of helping « terrorists » and having shut ties with Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.

The Awda member of the family cited by HRW acknowledged that authorities permitted Salman al-Awda easiest one phone call in October.

« Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s efforts to reform the Saudi economy and society are sure to fail if his justice map scorns the rule of thumb of law by ordering arbitrary arrests and punishments, » acknowledged Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW.

« There is no justification for punishing family members of a detainee without exhibiting even the slightest evidence or accusation of wrongdoing on their segment. »

In accordance to HRW, Awda became among the first of dozens of participants arrested in mid-September as segment of a crackdown in opposition to what Saudi authorities acknowledged were those acting « for the relieve of international events in opposition to the safety of the dominion and its pursuits ».

Saudi Arabia implemented one other wave of arrests in November in opposition to participants they accused of corruption and held many at five-enormous name resorts till they follow turn over sources to the allege.

Awda’s brother, Khaled, became also held after he tweeted about his brother’s detention, media reported. He stays in detention, consistent with HRW.

« If Mohammad bin Salman desires to relate that a new generation has begun in Saudi Arabia, a refreshing first step might perchance maybe well perchance be the release of activists and dissidents who hang by no approach been charged with a recognisable crime and might perchance maybe well perchance accrued by no approach hang gone to jail within the first allege, » Whitson acknowledged.