...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
should immediately investigate the claims that authorities physically mistreated or coerced prominent people detained in November 2017 and hold those responsible to account, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday in a statement on its website.
According to a New York Times
...which still proudly displays Walter Duranty's Pulitzer prize...
report, published on Monday, prominent Saudis held in what Riyadh dubbed an anti-corruption campaign were subjected to coercion and physical abuse, describing fear and uncertainty even after their release.
The newspaper had revealed that at least 17 detainees were hospitalised after facing abuse, while a Saudi general later died in jug with what witnesses said appeared to be a broken neck.
Saudi officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but NYT quoted the government rejecting the abuse claims as "completely untrue".
"The alleged mistreatment at the Ritz Carlton [where the detained people were held] is a serious blow to Mohammad bin Salman’s claims to be a modernising reformist," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW, on Wednesday. "While MBS jaunts across Western capitals to gin up foreign investments, investors should think twice about the Saudis’ cavalier dismissal of the rule of law and fundamental rights."