RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A Saudi rights group said Monday authorities arrested a Saudi journalist in a new blow to public freedoms in the conservative Muslim kingdom.
The unlicensed organization Human Rights First said in a statement Mohammed al-Awshen, editor in chief of the weekly al-Muhayed and member of the Organization for Defending the Rights of Guantanamo Prisoners, was arrested a few days ago.
The statement did not mention how and why Awshen was arrested, but urged the Saudi government to justify his arrest and respect the legal and human rights he is entitled to under the Saudi constitution.
"We urge the authorities to release Awshen, especially if the reason for his arrest is related to his journalistic work because that would violate his right to free expression," the statement said.
It urged the National Committee for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, the country's only licensed human rights watchdog, and the syndicate of Saudi journalists to help secure Awshen's release.
