A statement from General Mansur Al-Turki, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, explained that the reason for their arrest was "supporting and financing terrorism" and "illegal activities regarding the illegal collection of funds and their embezzlement for the benefit of suspicious parties."

In reality, all these people (whose political stance is well-known in Saudi Arabia) were meeting in order to discuss the creation of a committee to defend civil and political freedoms and the need for constitutional reforms in the country.

Mr. Al-Rashoudi has in the past defended members of the reformist movement; particularly during 2005 when his public campaign rallied international support and brought about the release of three Saudi prisoners of conscience: Dr. Matrouk Al-Faleh, and Mssrs. Abdullah Hamed and Ali Al-Damini.

Mr Al Rashoudi has consistently promoted justice and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. He has repeatedly criticized unfair trials and detentions without trial.

Alkarama for Human Rights considers that the reasons for his arrest are simply a pretext to remove a lawyer involved in defending prisoners of conscience and to forcibly remove one of country's few publicly outspoken human rights activists.
Saudi Arabia has not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights but these arrest and arbitrary detention constitute a violation of domestic law and relevant provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The arrest and incommunicado detention of Mr. Al Rashoudi is arbitrary and requires urgent action from the Saudi Arabian authorities for his immediate release.