Saudis to go on hunger strike to protest rights activist detention

Saudi activists are planning to stage a hunger strike in the capital, Riyadh, to protest against the detention of prominent rights activist Mohammad Al Bajadi.

The hunger strike organized by the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), also aims to express solidarity with political prisoners and demanding their immediate release.

"We hope to shed light on Mohammad al-Bajadi's case and others like him because unfortunately the state does not listen to the people, so we want to alert the international community to put pressure" on it, activist Mohammad al-Qah'tani told Reuters on Monday.

According to ACPRA, so far, more than 38 activists have signed up on its website to participate in the two-day hunger strike by the end of this week.

Al-Bajadi, ACPRA leacer, was detained in March 2011 for supporting families gathering outside the interior ministry in Riyadh to demand the release of detained relatives. His trial, on charges including tarnishing the reputation of the state, has been suspended as he refused to recognize the court.

Activists say there are more than 30,000 political prisoners held in jails across Saudi Arabia, who, the Saudi-based Human Rights First Society says, are being subjected to both physical and mental torture.

According to rights activists, most of the detainees are being held without trial or legitimate charges and have been arrested on grounds of mere suspicion.