Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / MIDDLE EAST
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
11:43 GMT, Sunday, 27 April 2008 12:43 UK

Saudi blogger released from jail

Fouad al-Farhan's website

A popular Saudi blogger who was detained by the authorities in December has been set free.

Fouad al-Farhan had used his website to criticise alleged corruption and call for democratic reforms in his country.

No official explanation was given for either the detention or the decision to free him.

Mr Farhan's detention had sparked protests from fellow bloggers. International human rights groups had been campaigning for his release.

Unlike most bloggers in Saudi Arabia, he wrote under his real name.

He used the blog to expose problems in Saudi society and campaigned on behalf of jailed Saudi liberals.

Correspondents say the whole affair surrounding the arrest Mr Farhan is part of a wider internet phenomenon issue in the Arab world.

With most governments in the region tightly controlling the activities of the official media, young people are increasingly turning to the internet to express dissent.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Campaign for release of Saudi blogger (02 Jan 08 |  Middle East )
Saudi Arabia's bold young bloggers (17 Oct 06 |  Middle East )
Slow pace of Saudi change (07 Oct 06 |  From Our Own Correspondent )
'Enemies of the internet' named (07 Nov 06 |  Technology )
Country profile: Saudi Arabia (11 Oct 07 |  Country profiles )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Official Saudi news agency
Fouad al-Farhan
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©