Arab rights groups urge Saudi to free jailed reformist

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

DUBAI (AFP) — More than two dozen Arab human rights groups urged Saudi Arabia on Thursday to release a prominent reformist who has been jailed since May, saying they feared for his health.

"Signatories to the present statement, call upon the Saudi authorities to put an end to their arbitrary practices targeting Saudi activists who aspire to effect democratic reform in the kingdom," a joint statement said.

"The organisations, moreover, demand that the Saudi authorities, in particular, take the necessary measures to promptly and unconditionally release Dr Matruk al-Faleh."

The groups from several Arab countries, including Egypt, Syria and Tunisia, expressed concern for Faleh, "a diabetic who suffers from hypertension", who they said went on hunger strike after...