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Sunday, 5 August 2007, 15:39 GMT 16:39 UK

Britons released after Saudi row

Pilgrims pray in Mecca A group of British Muslims who were held after an incident at the Great Mosque in Mecca have been released by Saudi religious police.

A British Islamic group says six Britons and one American were detained.

A spokesman for Islamic group Saveit said the arrests were made after police became involved in a debate over religious practice.

The UK Foreign Office said it was assisting the Britons who were released on Sunday morning.

'Clothes ripped'

The people arrested were part of a group of about 30 members of the moderate Islamic group, Saveit, said spokesman Mohammed Taki.

The group - which is called Shiite Muslims Against Violence Extremism and International Terrorism - was founded by Muslims wanting to show opposition to violence.

Mr Taki said Saudi police had accused the Britons and the American of being "infidels" who were outside Islam.

The debate, which had grown increasingly heated, involved about 14 people, half of whom were arrested, said Mr Taki.

Mr Taki claimed that those arrested had had their clothes ripped and showed signs of being beaten.

He told BBC Radio Five Live that the group had returned to their hotel, and had been instructed not to speak until they left the country.



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