16 Jan 12 | Index Index, minipost
One person has been killed and at least three others have been injured in clashes between security forces and Shia protesters in Saudi Arabia.
22 year-old Issam Mohammed died in al-Awamiya on Friday, after live ammunition was fired into the crowd by troops. The troops began firing after protesters threw stones at them. Officials also said a security vehicle was shot at and attacked with petrol bombs.
Meanwhile, a Saudi Arabian man has been arrested by the country’s religious police for allegedly using Facebook to arrange dates with other men. If charged with being gay, the man could face massive fines, flogging, jail or death.
15 Aug 11 | Digital Freedom, Index Index, minipost
According to Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Saudi Arabian listeners have been unable to access their websites. While no official reason has been given for the block, the station believes that it may be linked to a video posted on the Arabic version of the website. The video, posted on 15 July, showed a migrant worker being beaten. Earlier this year, Radio Netherlands Worldwide also reported on the exploitation and deplorable working conditions of domestic workers at the Saudi Embassy in The Hague.
02 Jun 11 | Index Index, minipost
Two Shiite bloggers who were arrested for their coverage of peaceful demonstrations in Shia-majority area of Qatif have been released by Saudi security authorities. The two young men, Mustafa Badr Al-Mubarak and Sayyid Hussein Kadham Al-Hashem, were arrested on 27 April 2011 when security forces broke into their homes and confiscated their laptops. Their blogs contained extensive coverage of their involvement in human rights activism and several peaceful demonstrations. A new law passed in January 2011 requires anyone wishing to post material online to obtain a press license from Saudi authorities.
21 Apr 11 | Index Index, minipost
A Saudi Arabian writer and teacher has become the most prominent figure to be arrested in the country since protests started in February. Nadhir al-Majid was detained on April 17 in the Persian Gulf city of al-Khobar. Rights groups have urged Interior Minister Prince Nayef al-Saud to release him immediately. Over 160 dissidents have been arrested in the last two months.
