HRW Calls on Saudi Arabia to Release Writer Sentenced for Political Views

Human Rights Watch calls on the Saudi government to release writer and activist Zuhair Kutbi, who was detained without charge for sharing his political opinion.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Saudi government should release writer and activist Zuhair Kutbi, who was detained without charge for sharing his political opinion, a rights watchdog said Monday.

On July 15, Kutbi was arrested without charge soon after he expressed his political views, suggesting an evolution in the structure of power in the country into that of a constitutional monarchy on Rotana Khaleejia TV Channel.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that authorities must either charge Kutbi or release him immediately.

“Saudi authorities apparently have little better to do than to harass and jail people for nothing other than peacefully expressing their opinions,” Joe Stork, deputy director for the Middle East and Northern Africa Division of HRW, said.

He added that King Salman of Saudi Arabia should release all activists and writers, detained for peacefully expressing their views.

According to Kutbi’s fellow activists, this is the seventh time the writer has been detained.

Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized Riyadh for its human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of expression and discrimination against women.