At Least 18 Jamaat Activists Detained in Saudi Arabia Over Unauthorized Election Campaign Event

Special Correspondent

Several Bangladeshi citizens have been detained in Saudi Arabia for holding political meetings without permission in the run-up to the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections.

An embassy source said the number of those detained could be 18-20. The detainees are said to be activists of Jamaat-e-Islami.

This information was given in a statement issued by the Bangladeshi Embassy in Riyadh on Wednesday, December 17.

It said, “This is to inform the Bangladeshi expatriates that the Bangladesh Embassy, ​​Riyadh has been informed that several Bangladeshis have been detained by local law enforcement agencies for organizing meetings and rallies in various areas of Saudi Arabia, renting halls/halls and illegally staying in hotels, restaurants or private homes, ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections under the banner of various organizations, participating in group campaigns and spreading criminal and misleading information on social media.”

The notice further states that in this situation, respected expatriate Bangladeshis are being specially requested to refrain from organizing any meetings, participating in group campaigns and spreading all kinds of criminal and misleading information on social media without the approval of the appropriate Saudi authorities. At the same time, everyone is also being requested to comply with the laws, rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia, the notice also mentions.

Incidentally, Saudi Arabia has very strict laws regarding any political gathering. In the case of political gatherings, permission from the authorities and a proper explanation of the reasons are required. There are provisions for taking punitive measures, including sending expatriates back to the country, if they violate the law.