Saudi Arabia, Canada row over jailed activists ramps up

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Saudi Arabia and Canada on Monday showed no signs of backing down in an escalating row over human rights after Riyadh abruptly cut ties over Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of activists jailed in the kingdom.

Riyadh on Sunday recalled its ambassador from Canada and gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave. The Saudi government also banned new trade with Canada, although it was unclear if it would affect existing annual Saudi-Canadian trade of nearly 4 billion US dollars and a 13-billion-US-dollar defense contract.

The embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa, Aug. 5, 2018. /VCG Photo

Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported on Monday the kingdom will suspend educational exchange programs with Canada and move Saudi scholarship recipients to other countries.

Saudi state airline Saudia also said it was suspending flights to and from Toronto, Canada's largest city.

The moves were a stern rebuke to Canada after the country on Friday expressed concern over the arrests of activists in Saudi Arabia, including prominent women's rights campaigner Samar Badawi, and called for their release.

In tweets Sunday night, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry accused Canada of "overt and blatant interference" in the country's internal affairs.

Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry Twitter screenshot

"The Canadian position is a grave and unacceptable violation of the Kingdom's laws and procedures," the Saudi ministry tweeted.

Neighbors and allies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates said they stood with Riyadh, although they did not announce similar measures.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a loose association of the six Gulf Arab countries, the Arab League and Palestine also supported Saudi policy.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters