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Saudi Arabia 'tortured female activists', charities say | Saudi Arabia 'tortured female activists', charities say |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Saudi Arabia tortured and sexually harassed human rights activists, including several women, human rights groups have alleged. | Saudi Arabia tortured and sexually harassed human rights activists, including several women, human rights groups have alleged. |
Prisoners in the kingdom's Dhahban Prison have allegedly been electrocuted and flogged. | Prisoners in the kingdom's Dhahban Prison have allegedly been electrocuted and flogged. |
Saudi Arabia arrested several women's rights activists earlier this year and influential clerics and intellectuals have also been detained. | Saudi Arabia arrested several women's rights activists earlier this year and influential clerics and intellectuals have also been detained. |
The BBC has approached the Saudi authorities for comment. | The BBC has approached the Saudi authorities for comment. |
However, a Saudi official told the Wall Street Journal the kingdom "does not condone, promote, or allow the use of torture". | |
Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch issued statements on Tuesday detailing alleged torture of detained prisoners. | Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch issued statements on Tuesday detailing alleged torture of detained prisoners. |
Activists were left unable to walk or stand properly after electrocution and flogging, an Amnesty International release said, with one woman reportedly sexually harassed by interrogators in face masks. | |
Human Rights Watch's release also speaks of electrocution, as well as whipping and "forcible hugging and kissing" of at least three detained women. | Human Rights Watch's release also speaks of electrocution, as well as whipping and "forcible hugging and kissing" of at least three detained women. |
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were praised last year for launching a modernisation drive, including the lifting of a ban on women driving. | King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were praised last year for launching a modernisation drive, including the lifting of a ban on women driving. |
But critics say that has been accompanied with a crackdown on dissent, and the country is also facing an international outcry over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. | But critics say that has been accompanied with a crackdown on dissent, and the country is also facing an international outcry over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. |
Saudi Arabia has blamed the killing on rogue agents but denied claims that the crown prince had knowledge of the operation. | Saudi Arabia has blamed the killing on rogue agents but denied claims that the crown prince had knowledge of the operation. |
However, the CIA reportedly believes Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder. | However, the CIA reportedly believes Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder. |
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump issued a statement defending ties with Saudi Arabia, despite saying the Crown Prince "could very well" have known about the assassination. | On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump issued a statement defending ties with Saudi Arabia, despite saying the Crown Prince "could very well" have known about the assassination. |
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