Saudi reformers call for free elections (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Saudi reformers call for free elections
19 Feb 2007 19:05:59 GMT
Source: Reuters

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By Andrew Hammond

RIYADH, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian reformers have called for free elections
in an Internet petition but three of its authors were among a group arrested this
month for "funding terrorism", a reformer said on Monday.

The arrests, which the Interior Ministry denied were linked with the petition, have
not deterred other activists who intend to present the document to the king, an
absolute monarch.

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So far, 114 people have signed the document, dated Feb. 2, and made available on
Web site www.dostor-islami.com last week for people to add their names by March 20.

The document accuses the government of preventing reformers from travelling abroad,
closing some Internet sites, banning public demonstrations and threatening state
employees with dismissal for expressing opinions contrary to government policy.

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Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L19315780.htm