Riyadh denies hunger strike in Rweis prison

The Emir of Mecca, prince Abdul Majid Bin Abdul Aziz, has denied the existence of a hunger strike said to have been carried out by 40 prisoners in al-Rweis prison in Jeddah since several days, describing the news as a lie boosted by suspects.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Saudi daily Okaz, he said that what was published about his matter was groundless, adding that behind these lies are people of well-known intention who call themselves the Saudi opposition abroad.

On Friday AFP quoted persons, calling themselves as Saudi opposition abroad, as saying that more than 40 persons detained in al-Rweis prison have been observing a hunger strike since December 17, 2002.