Saudi Arabia releases four active Islamists

A Saudi religious figure said on Tuesday in Riyadh that the Saudi authorities have released four active opposition Islamists who called for expelling US troops from Saudi Arabia and for carrying out reforms in the country.

The source, who asked not to be identified, said the Saudi authorities released the four men on Friday after they pledged not to deliver sermons in mosques, to give lectures in their houses or to talk to the press.

The source added that the four released men will be put "under control (monitored)" for an unlimited time. They were released at the support of a senior al-Ifta house clergy in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh.

The source added that the most prominent among the released is Suleiman al-Odeh, who was arrested in September 1994 in al-Breida city.