An Australian man faces terror charges in Saudi Arabia. Picture: Thinkstock
AUSTRALIA must do all it can to help two West Australian brothers in Saudi Arabia, one behind bars and the other in hiding and facing arrest, Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says.
Senator Ludlam says he understands Shayden Thorne, 25, is in custody facing allegations of terrorism.
His brother Junaid, 23, is wanted by authorities after having previously been detained for taking part in a protest against the Saudi government's treatment of political prisoners.
"Saudi Arabia is not renowned for due process, rule of law or fair treatment of suspects. It is essential that the federal government makes the maximum effort to protect the human rights of Junaid and Shayden Thorne," Senator Ludlum said in a statement on Wednesday night.
He said Shayden Thorne had allegedly been tortured.
"The Australian government must investigate these claims as vigorously as possible. It is essential that Foreign Minister (Bob) Carr does all he can to ensure the fair treatment of these two Australians."
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed a 25-year-old West Australian man was on trial for alleged terrorism-related offences and was being detained in a prison outside the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
"Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Riyadh have been providing consular assistance to the man since his arrest in November 2011. Consular staff in Canberra are in regular contact with the man's family in Australia," he said.
The spokesman said the embassy was also assisting a 23-year-old WA man whose Australian passport was currently held by Saudi authorities.
"The man is not detained. Efforts are under way to clarify his legal situation," he said.
Junaid Thorne said his brother, Shayden, had not told him whether authorities had beaten him.
"I have seen a few bruises on his body, but he never wanted to tell me that he was being tortured," Junaid told ABC Television on Wednesday.
"When he managed to see his lawyer he told him he had been beaten very bad, lashed with cables."
Junaid said he had been in hiding for two months.
"So I have been unable to visit or speak to him," he said.
He said the terrorism charges against his brother had no basis.
"My lawyer has attended two of his trials in Riyadh and they have not provided any proof whatsoever," Junaid said.
The 23-year-old said he would leave Saudi Arabia "tomorrow" if he had the opportunity.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the 25-year-old man from Perth was arrested in November 2011.
A spokesman said he was on trial for alleged terrorism-related offences and was detained in a prison outside the Saudi capital Riyadh.
''Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Riyadh have been providing consular assistance to the man since his arrest in November 2011,'' he said.
''Consular staff in Canberra are in regular contact with the man's family in Australia.''
The spokesman said the Australian embassy in Riyadh was also assisting a 23-year-old man from Western Australia whose Australian passport was being held by Saudi authorities. He said this man was not being detained and efforts were under way to clarify his legal situation.
Consular staff in Canberra are in regular contact with the man's family in Australia.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Australian faces Saudi terror trial
Dengan url
http://ichancibby.blogspot.com/2013/05/australian-faces-saudi-terror-trial.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Australian faces Saudi terror trial
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Australian faces Saudi terror trial
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar