Reformist Saudi blogger freed

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

RIYADH (AFP) — A Saudi blogger and reform advocate, whose detention without charge four months ago sparked criticism from Washington, has been freed, newspapers in the conservative kingdom reported on Sunday.

Fouad al-Farhan was released from a jail in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Saturday, the English-language Arab News said, citing his wife and a fellow blogger.

"He was released around 5:30 in the morning (0230 GMT)," the paper quoted his wife as saying.

"He is all right, Alhamdulillah (thanks be to God)," she added. "He is fine now and out of prison and that's what counts now."

Farhan had been held since December 10 in a move which unnerved the blogger community in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia and drew calls for his release from international...