The Egyptian lawyer who was arrested in Saudi Arabia was not only an advocate for Egyptians who languish in jail in Saudi Arabia but was also an advocate against Israel and its occupation of Palestine. Yesterday, the Saudi government changed its tune and said that he was arrested because he was carrying Xanax and not because he insulted the Saudi King. "Hundreds of Egyptians protested outside the Saudi Embassy on Tuesday demanding the release of an Egyptian human-rights lawyer detained in Saudi Arabia for allegedly insulting the kingdom's monarch.
The incident surrounding Ahmed el-Gezawi has revived long-standing resentment over the treatment of Egyptians working in the oil-rich kingdom, which is a destination for more than a million Egyptians searching for better jobs. It also raises questions about whether the Egyptian government does enough to protect its citizens or, as many activists claim, curbs its criticism so as not to alienate the wealthy kingdom or endanger Egyptian jobs there." (thanks Ihsan)
