The leading Saudi blogger, Fouad Alfarhan, who has been arrested in Jeddah on December 10, 2007 for exercising his freedom of speech on his popular blog alfarhan.org has sent a letter few days before his arrest to his friends:
I was told that there is an official order from a high-ranking official in the Ministry of the Interior to investigate me. They will pick me up anytime in the next 2 weeks.
The issue that caused all of this is because I wrote about the political prisoners here in Saudi Arabia and they think I’m running a online campaign promoting their issue. All what I did is wrote some pieces and put side banners and asked other bloggers to do the same.
he asked me to comply with him and sign an apology. I’m not sure if I’m ready to do that. An apology for what? Apologizing because I said the government is liar when they accused those guys to be supporting terrorism?To expect the worst which is to be jailed for 3 days till we write good feedback about you and let u go
there may be no jial and only apologizing letter. But, if it’s more than three days, it should be out. I don’t want to be forgotten in jail.
According to his wife with whom we talked, Fouad’s arrest was directly linked to his blogging activities. He may remain in custody for a one-month investigation period. After that his family will be allowed to visit him and be informed about his case and the possible charges that might be brought against him. Fouad is apparently being held, without charge or trial, at the Ministry of Interior’s security service (al-Mabahith al-‘Amma) headquarter in Jeddah. He has been arrested at his office in Jeddah and had been led to his home where police confiscated his laptop computer.
This is not the first time that Fouad has run into trouble with Saudi authorities. Last year, Fouad was questioned by plainclothes police and was forced to shut down his blog. After a hiatus of few months, Fouad decided to continue blogging.
Several bloggers and activists are organizing an online Free Fouad campaign at freefouad.com to call attention to Fouad. As so far, a support group created on Facebook for Fouad has gathered 295 members.
In a statement issued on December 24, 2007, The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information condemned the “unjustified detention” of blogger Fouad Alfarhan and urged the Saudi authorities to reveal the reason of arresting him. “When the Saudi authorities arrest a young man writing maturely and is against terrorism and calls for reformation, it is a serious indicator for how far are the fanatic and those opposing freedom of expression and reformation are taking over in Saudi Arabia,” the executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Mr. Gamal said.
source: Global Voices
with arresting a young well aduacated person like Mr fouad soudi arabi government is making another Mistake
you can not shut down all this new genaration vice by jailling them
or making them stope wiriting about freedom and terrorism
this is not surprising that ,as we see and notice, in saudi arabia some clerics who have a good connction to government are openly talking about ” JIHAD” even against other sect of ISLAM.
however,no one even tell them a simple warning.but as we see a young person who is trying to incourage freedom throwh his writing has been arrested????????/
saudi authorites should free Faud to show thier respect to young genteration who are using thier bloggs for incourgaing freedom
I HOPE WE SEE THIS YOUNG AND BRAVE MAN FREE SOON.
parvaz from canada
a persian
Salaam All Muslims around the Globe!
it’s me Temor from Afghanistan but the most lover of the people like fouad who’s been trying to stop these criminals from doing their rude actions and putting presure over the innocent people!
i think the Government of Saudi must think that if he keeps on stopping people like Fouad then who’s gona broadcast the truths for the people whom are left behind and have no idea about high rank officers doing illegal actions!
anyways, i don’t wana talk more but once again i’m requesting Saudi Authorities to free Mr.Fouad as soon as possible cz his family and his people are waiting for him to be released from the jail cz he does not deserve to be in jail ………………!!!!!!
hope to c this Brave and honest man sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon!!!!
May Allah Bless Us All!
yours Little bro
From Kabul
Mohammad Temor
Media Analyst
Dear Brother Fouad!!!
Do not worry you will soon get the reward from Merciful Allah because you’ve not done something wrong or illegal!
But be aware that Allah will punish those whom are behind your case and wanted to push you towards prison.
Nevertheless, Allah is with patients (In Allaha Ma al Saberin)!
My only request from Saudi authorities is to release fouad and let him go twards his family and friends and let him unveil the truths to the people!
Dear Fouad!
Our prayers are always with you!
Be blessed,
Sohaib
Jordon