RussiaToday
Published on Aug 12, 2013
Saudi
Arabia, a major supporter of opposition forces in Syria, has increased
crackdown on its own dissenters, with 30,000 activists reportedly in
jail. In an exclusive interview to RT a Saudi prince defector explained
what the monarchy fears most
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Saudi prince defects: 'Brutality, oppression as govt scared of Arab revolts' (EXCLUSIVE)
Published time: August 12, 2013 11:37
Edited time: August 12, 2013 14:19
Protesters hold pictures of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr during a rally at the
coastal town of Qatif, against Sheikh Nimr's arrest July 8, 2012
(Reuters / Reuters / Amr Abdallah Dalsh)
Saudi Arabia, a major
supporter of opposition forces in Syria, has increased crackdown on its
own dissenters, with 30,000 activists reportedly in jail. In an
exclusive interview to RT a Saudi prince defector explained what the
monarchy fears most.
“
Saudi Arabia has stepped up arrests and trials of peaceful dissidents, and responded with force to demonstrations by citizens,” Human Rights Watch begins the country’s profile on its website.
Political
parties are banned in Saudi Arabia and human rights groups willing to
function legally have to go no further than investigating things like
corruption or inadequate services. Campaigning for political freedoms is
outlawed.
One of such groups, which failed to get its license
from the government, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association
(ACPRA), was cited by AFP as saying the kingdom was holding around
30,000 political prisoners.
Saudi Prince Khaled Bin Farhan
Al-Saud, who spoke to RT from Dusseldorf, Germany, confirmed reports of
increased prosecution of anti-government activists and said that it’s
exactly what forced him to defect from his family. He accused the
monarchy of corruption and silencing all voices of dissent and explained
how the Saudi mechanism for suppression functioned.
“
There is
no independent judiciary, as both police and the prosecutor’s office are
accountable to the Interior Ministry. This ministry’s officials
investigate ‘crimes’ (they call them crimes), related to freedom of
speech. So they fabricate evidence, don’t allow people to have attorneys”, the prince told RT Arabic. “
Even
if a court rules to release such a ‘criminal’, the Ministry of Interior
keeps him in prison, even though there is a court order to release him.
There have even been killings! Killings! And as for the external
opposition, Saudi intelligence forces find these people abroad! There is
no safety inside or outside the country.”
Prince Khalid Bin Farhan Al-Saud
The
strong wave of oppression is in response to the anti-government forces
having grown ever more active. A new opposition group called Saudi
Million and claiming independence from any political party was founded
in late July. The Saudi youths which mostly constitute the movement say
they demand the release of political prisoners and vow to hold regular
demonstrations, announcing their dates and locations via Facebook and
electronic newspapers.
Human rights violations are driving people
on to the streets despite the fear of arrest, according to activist Hala
Al-Dosari, who spoke to RT from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“
We have
issues related to political and civil rights, freedom of expression and
freedom of assembly. These are the main issues that cause a lot of
people to be at risk for just voicing out their opinions or trying to
form associations, demonstrate or protest, which is banned by the
government.”
The loudest voice of the Saudi opposition at the
moment is a person called ‘Saudi Assange’. His Twitter name is
@Mujtahidd, he keeps his identity and whereabouts secret and is prolific
in online criticism of the ruling family, which has gained him over a
million followers.
“
The regime can destroy your credibility easily and deter people from dealing with you if your identity is public,” Mujtahid wrote to RT’s Lindsay France in an email.
Read More and See Full Interview Video Here
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Saudi writer Abdullah Mohammad Al Dawood. (Image from twitter)
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AFP Photo / Amer Hilabi
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