U.S. Blasts Saudi Detention of Reformers

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- The State Department criticized Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for arresting peaceful reform activists, calling the action a disappointing backward step by the Arab monarchy.

Seven reformers were arrested Tuesday. They were believed to be planning to issue a statement denouncing a newly created human rights group as a government-appointed body.

Prominent reformer Abdullah al-Hamed, a Saudi academic, and six others were detained by Saudi security forces, according to a statement issued by the Paris-based Arab Commission for Human Rights.

"We are deeply concerned," said State Department spokesman Adam Ereli. He said the arrests were in contrast to recent positive moves in the kingdom. "It's inconsistent with the kind of forward progress that reform-minded people are looking for."

snip.........

"A limited number of people were arrested for interrogation about issuing statements that do not serve the unity of the homeland or the integrity of the society which is based on the Islamic Sharia," the Saudi Press Agency said.

more..........

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-saudi,0,5124742.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[Tempest]

1. Rightwing Hypocrisy Alert

BushCo puts peace demonstrators and nuns in jail, and they have the nerve to complain about the Saudis?

[The Stranger]

2. Do we know who is at Guantanamo yet?

[rustydog]

3. Jumping Jesus Christ!

If you are Anti-Bush and protest at a Bushco event you'll be arrested for peaceful activity.

Lying hypocrites.