An editor unfairly detained

Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrest and unfair detention of Mohamed al Raouchan, editor of the weekly Al-Mouhaid (Neutrality), who was arrested by security forces in Riyadh on 9 January. "We strongly condemn the unfair detention of this journalist. If the Saudi authorities have good reasons that turn out to justify his detention they should make them known. Otherwise al-Raouchan should be released as soon as possible," said the worldwide press freedom organisation. "We are all the more concerned because after six days in custody, we still do not know what charges there are against him and he has still not been allowed to see a lawyer," it added. The authorities have so far refused to confirm they are holding the editor. Some of his colleagues believe he is being held because of his commitment to Saudis held by the United States at Guantanamo, Cuba, as well as recent articles in the weekly magazine, in which he urged the authorities to work harder to secure their release.