Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Sunday, August 5, 2018

BREAKING: Saudi Arabia freezes Canada trade ties, recalls envoy


Samar Badawi. File photoImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionWomen's rights activist Samar Badawi was arrested last week
by Leila Mohamed and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Riyadh
Saudi Arabia has said it is freezing all new trade and investment with Canada over its "interference" in the Gulf Kingdom's internal affairs.
In a series of tweets, the Saudi foreign ministry said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and recalling its own envoy in Canada.
The move comes after Canada said it was "gravely concerned" about the arrest of several human rights activists.
Among those arrested was Saudi-American women's rights campaigner Samar Badawi.
Ms Badawi had been calling for an end to Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system.
The arrests are at odds with the progressive image the government has projected this year under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Canada's government has so far made no public comments on Saudi Arabia's diplomatic measures.
US First Lady Michelle Obama (L) and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pose with Samar Badawi of Saudi Arabia as she receives the 2012 International Women of Courage Award during a ceremony at the US State Department in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2012Image copyrightAFP
Image captionMs Badawi, pictured here with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, received an International Women of Courage Award in 2012

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