Fouad al-Farhan
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Ahmad Fouad al-Farhan (b. 1975 in Taif, Saudi Arabia) is a popular Saudi Arabian blogger and political commentator noted for his advocacy of political reforms on his blog.[1][2] Farhan is unusual among Saudi Arabian bloggers because he uses his real name rather than blogging under a pseudonym.[3] Farhan had stopped blogging for a period after being told by government officials to "tone down" his commentary.[4] He resumed posting in July 2007. On Tuesday, December 10, 2007 Farhan was arrested in Jeddah. The arrest was reported by other Arab bloggers, and Saudi authorities confirmed he was being held for "interrogation."[4][5] No official charges were relayed. He was held in solitary confinement without charges.[6] He was released from prison on April 26, 2008.[7][8]
Reacting to his arrest friends created the website Free Fouad calling for his release.[9] Gamal Eid, the executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, commented "When the Saudi authorities arrest a young man writing maturely and is against terrorism and calls for reformation, it is a serious indicator for how far are the fanatic and those opposing freedom of expression and reformation are taking over in Saudi Arabia."[10]
Prior to his arrest Farhan worked as manager at a Smart Info Co. in Jeddah. He holds an M.A. degree in IT from a school in the United States and is married with two daughters.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ فؤاد أحمد الفرحان
- ^ World & Nation Update: Abroad. Newsday.com (January 01, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ Blogger Detained in Saudi Arabia. Associated Press (January 02, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ a b [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/31/AR2007123101915.html Dissident Saudi Blogger Is Arrested Popular Internet Commentator Had Called for Political Reform]. The Washington Post Company (January 01, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ Zoepf, Katherine (January 02, 2008). Saudis Confirm Detention of Blogger. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ "No freedom for 'dean of Saudi bloggers'", by Nic Robertson and Wayne Drash, February 27, 2008, CNN
- ^ "Saudi blogger freed from jail, colleague says", April 26, 2008, CNN
- ^ "Saudi official: Why popular blogger Farhan was jailed", by Caryle Murphy, Christian Science Monitor, April 28, 2008
- ^ Free Fouad
- ^ The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
