Saudi Arabia ruptures ties with Canada, serving notice to would-be critics
Source: The Washington Post
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The storm started with a tweet by Canada’s foreign minister last week expressing alarm at the recent arrest of a women’s rights activist in Saudi Arabia who had relatives living in Canada, and calling for her release.
On Monday, the Saudi government responded, with fury.
The Canadian ambassador was ordered to leave within 24 hours, and the Saudi government halted trade and investment deals between the two countries. Saudi media reported that educational exchange programs would be suspended — affecting 12,000 Saudi students studying on state-sponsored scholarships in Canada. And Saudi Arabia’s national airline said it was suspending flights to Canada, beginning on Aug. 13.
Categories: Canada, Human Rights, Middle East, North America, Saudi Arabia, The Muslim Times