Saudi Arabia arrests poet for criticizing corruption
Saudi Arabia, Politics, 3/21/2002

The Saudi authorities have arrested a Saudi poet who described in one of his poems the Saudi judiciary which is inspired by the Islamic Sharia as "corrupt." Also, the editor of the Saudi daily al-Madina, which published the poem was fired from his job.

A Saudi journalist asked not to be identified said on Wednesday that Abdul Mohsen al- Muslim "was arrested four days ago and high ranking security officers interrogated him for a long time about his poem." The said poet was arrested at his home before he was taken to prison in Jeddah because he strongly criticized the Judiciary, according to the London- based al-Quds al- Arabi paper.

On Monday the chief editor of the Saudi paper al-Madina Muhammad al-Mukhtar Faal was dismissed from his post because he permitted the publishing of the poem on March 10 under the title "the corruption makers on earth." The poem accuses certain judges of violations and corruption.

Sources close to the Saudi news agency said that the demand for the al-Madina issue of printed on March 10 was so great to the extent that all issues were sold and the paper reprinted thousands of extra copies.

Al-Muslim ( 45 year old) who completed his higher studies in the US, is considered one of the most popular writer and poets in Saudi Arabia.

Previous Stories:
  Saudi minister of the interior welcomes human rights organizations in his country   (4/16/2001)
  Saudi Arabia human rights record   (3/10/2001)
  Saudi Arabia reports on human rights in the kingdom   (4/10/2000)

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