<p>The billionare Oswal family has released a disturbing audio of their last call made by Vasundhara Oswal while in detention in Uganda. Vasundhara, the daughter of Swiss-Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has been allegedly illegally detained for nearly three weeks.</p>

<p>According to the Oswal family, Vasundhara has been held in prison by Ugandan police since October 1 without a trial. She is facing allegations of kidnapping and murder of a former employee. The individual, who she is accused of murdering, has been found living in Tanzania in state custody her family said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swiss-indian-billionaire-appeals-to-un-after-daughter-detained-in-uganda-768429">Swiss-Indian billionaire appeals to UN after daughter detained In Uganda</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Disturbing social media post</strong></h2>

<p>A social media post shared by Vasundhara’s sister, Ridi Oswal details her detention, “My sister, Vasundhara Oswal, has been unjustly imprisoned in Uganda for over two and a half weeks, in a prison meant for those convicted of heinous crimes like murder. Yet, she remains behind bars without any evidence against her, and without any valid reason to hold her.”</p>

<p>An audio recording of Vasundhara’s last phone call with her family was also shared in the post. In the audio clip, Vasundhara can be heard screaming while crying, “They’re taking my phone. They’re taking my phone.”</p>

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<p>Another voice of a woman was heard in the audio protesting, “She’s talking to her family, you cannot deny that. They cannot take your phone.”</p>

<p>“You will hear an audio of how she was stripped of her freedom and denied a single phone call, even though she was being illegally held, this audio was taken when she was 90 hours in and had an unconditional release order,” Ridi wrote about the audio.</p>

<h2><strong>Why is Vasundhara Oswal detained?</strong></h2>

<p>Vasundhara Oswal, 26, was arrested on October 1 from the family business plant Extra-Neutral Alcohol (ENA) facility. Industrialist Pankaj Oswal claims that she has been detained on the charges made by a former employee who took a $200,000 loan from the family. Vasundhara was taken into custody for kidnapping with intent to kill. However, the family said that the former employee made these charges to avoid paying back the loan.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-american-billionaire-and-past-monk-investigated-for-tax-abuse-768017">Indian American billionaire and past monk, investigated for tax abuse</a></strong></p>

<p>“The man she has been accused of kidnapping and murdering, the one on whom this entire case is falsely based, was already found in Tanzania, in state custody,” her sister said as she explained that the man has even provided a notarized affidavit saying Vasundhara or her family never mistreated him. “Despite this, the Ugandan state refuses to acknowledge the truth.”</p>

<p>The family filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations on October 11, seeking intervention.</p>

<p>“I am deeply grateful to the media and the UN for their support, and I pray for a positive resolution soon. I don’t know how much longer she can endure this torment,” said Ridi.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The billionare Oswal family has released a disturbing audio of their last call made by Vasundhara Oswal while in detention in Uganda. Vasundhara, the daughter of Swiss-Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has been allegedly illegally detained for nearly three weeks.

The billionare Oswal family has released a disturbing audio of their last call made by Vasundhara Oswal while in detention in Uganda. Vasundhara, the daughter of Swiss-Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, has been allegedly illegally detained for nearly three weeks. According to the Oswal family, Vasundhara has been held in prison by Ugandan police since October 1 without a trial. She is facing allegations of kidnapping and murder of a former employee. The individual, who she is accused of murdering, has been found living in Tanzania in state custody her family said. Also read | Swiss-Indian billionaire appeals to UN after daughter detained In Uganda Disturbing social media post A social media post shared by Vasundhara’s sister, Ridi Oswal details her detention, “My sister, Vasundhara Oswal, has been unjustly imprisoned in Uganda for over two and a half weeks, in a prison meant for those convicted of heinous crimes like murder. Yet, she remains behind bars without any evidence against her, and without any valid reason to hold her.” An audio recording of Vasundhara’s last phone call with her family was also shared in the post. In the audio clip, Vasundhara can be heard screaming while crying, “They’re taking my phone. They’re taking my phone.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vasundhara Oswal (@vasundharaoswal) × Another voice of a woman was heard in the audio protesting, “She’s talking to her family, you cannot deny that. They cannot take your phone.” “You will hear an audio of how she was stripped of her freedom and denied a single phone call, even though she was being illegally held, this audio was taken when she was 90 hours in and had an unconditional release order,” Ridi wrote about the audio. Why is Vasundhara Oswal detained? Vasundhara Oswal, 26, was arrested on October 1 from the family business plant Extra-Neutral Alcohol (ENA) facility. Industrialist Pankaj Oswal claims that she has been detained on the charges made by a former employee who took a $200,000 loan from the family. Vasundhara was taken into custody for kidnapping with intent to kill. However, the family said that the former employee made these charges to avoid paying back the loan. Also read | Indian American billionaire and past monk, investigated for tax abuse “The man she has been accused of kidnapping and murdering, the one on whom this entire case is falsely based, was already found in Tanzania, in state custody,” her sister said as she explained that the man has even provided a notarized affidavit saying Vasundhara or her family never mistreated him. “Despite this, the Ugandan state refuses to acknowledge the truth.” The family filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations on October 11, seeking intervention. “I am deeply grateful to the media and the UN for their support, and I pray for a positive resolution soon. I don’t know how much longer she can endure this torment,” said Ridi. (With inputs from agencies)

Oswal family shares disturbing audio clip of Vasundhara in detention

<p>Swiss-Indian industrialist Pankaj Oswal has filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations seeking intervention for alleged illegal detention of his 26-year-old daughter in Uganda.</p>

<p>Oswal has claimed his daughter is denied basic rights and has been detained without trial in the East African country since October 1.</p>

<p>According to reports, Vasundhara Oswal was taken from Oswal's Extra-Neutral Alcohol (ENA) plant in Uganda by around 20 armed men, who did not show any identification or warrant. She was detained in a missing man’s case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Oswal has reportedly&nbsp;filed an appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on October 11. WGAD is an international human rights body appointed by the Human Rights Council to investigate and intervene in cases of misuse of police powers.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-man-says-disturbing-rise-in-hate-in-canada-after-woman-vehemently-asks-him-to-return-to-india-768418">Indian-origin man says 'disturbing rise in hate’ in Canada after woman vehemently asks him to return to India</a></strong></p>

<p>An Instagram post shared on Vasundhara’s handle described her “unlawful detainment and arrest.” The post showed an image of a toilet with blood and faeces on the floor. She was denied basic necessities including clean water and food and was not allowed to bathe or even change her clothes for nearly five days. She was forced to sit in a room full of shoes and given a small bench to sleep on.</p>

<p>According to the EU Reporter, Vasundhara was also denied vegetarian food and was not allowed to make contact with her family for days. Additionally, she was moved between multiple prisons to make it difficult for her family and lawyers to meet with her.</p>

<p>Several co-workers of Vasundhara have also been detained, including the company’s legal representative, Rita Ngabire.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedish-gangs-targeting-israeli-interests-hiring-teenagers-for-alleged-attacks-768353">Swedish gangs targeting Israeli interests, hiring teenagers for alleged attacks</a></strong></p>

<p>Vasundhara’s brother described her as a “workaholic” who expanded the ENA plant in Uganda's Luwero from “a small tent on a bare land in 2021” to a $110 million factory. He claimed her detention was due to corporate jealousy of a 68-year-old man and accused him&nbsp;of extortion and ruining her reputation.</p>

<p>Despite a court order, Vasundhara was not released by the authorities, her brother said. According to reports, was taken to a lookalike court and charged with murder.</p>

<p>“This is every mother’s nightmare. My young daughter has been thrown into a foreign jail. She has been stripped of her basic human rights and her dignity. Vasundhara is an innocent bystander. All I want is her safety, and for her to be back in my arms,” Vasundhara’s mother said in an appeal to the Ugandan government.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Swiss-Indian industrialist Pankaj Oswal has filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations seeking intervention for alleged illegal detention of his 26-year-old daughter in Uganda.

Swiss-Indian industrialist Pankaj Oswal has filed an urgent appeal with the United Nations seeking intervention for alleged illegal detention of his 26-year-old daughter in Uganda. Oswal has claimed his daughter is denied basic rights and has been detained without trial in the East African country since October 1. According to reports, Vasundhara Oswal was taken from Oswal's Extra-Neutral Alcohol (ENA) plant in Uganda by around 20 armed men, who did not show any identification or warrant. She was detained in a missing man’s case. Oswal has reportedly filed an appeal with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on October 11. WGAD is an international human rights body appointed by the Human Rights Council to investigate and intervene in cases of misuse of police powers. Also read | Indian-origin man says 'disturbing rise in hate’ in Canada after woman vehemently asks him to return to India An Instagram post shared on Vasundhara’s handle described her “unlawful detainment and arrest.” The post showed an image of a toilet with blood and faeces on the floor. She was denied basic necessities including clean water and food and was not allowed to bathe or even change her clothes for nearly five days. She was forced to sit in a room full of shoes and given a small bench to sleep on. According to the EU Reporter, Vasundhara was also denied vegetarian food and was not allowed to make contact with her family for days. Additionally, she was moved between multiple prisons to make it difficult for her family and lawyers to meet with her. Several co-workers of Vasundhara have also been detained, including the company’s legal representative, Rita Ngabire. Also read | Swedish gangs targeting Israeli interests, hiring teenagers for alleged attacks Vasundhara’s brother described her as a “workaholic” who expanded the ENA plant in Uganda's Luwero from “a small tent on a bare land in 2021” to a $110 million factory. He claimed her detention was due to corporate jealousy of a 68-year-old man and accused him of extortion and ruining her reputation. Despite a court order, Vasundhara was not released by the authorities, her brother said. According to reports, was taken to a lookalike court and charged with murder. “This is every mother’s nightmare. My young daughter has been thrown into a foreign jail. She has been stripped of her basic human rights and her dignity. Vasundhara is an innocent bystander. All I want is her safety, and for her to be back in my arms,” Vasundhara’s mother said in an appeal to the Ugandan government. (With inputs from agencies)

Swiss-Indian billionaire appeals to UN after daughter detained In Uganda

<p>More than 400 rebels were given life sentences in Chad on Tuesday following former ruler Idriss Deby Itno's death, who was killed in 2021, said a public prosecutor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the end of a mass trial, the rebels were sentenced for "acts of terrorism, mercenarism, recruitment of child soldiers and assaulting the head of state," stated Mahamat El-Hadj Abba Nana, prosecutor for the capital N'Djamena.</p>

<p>He refused to reveal the detailed figure of the rebels imprisoned, stating that only "more than 400 were sentenced" to life, while officials acquitted 24 other defendants.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, the trial opened behind closed doors at Klessoum prison which is located 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of the capital.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-african-investigator-cloete-murray-who-looked-into-state-corruptions-shot-dead-573769">South African investigator Cloete Murray, who looked into state corruption, shot dead along with son</a></p>

<p>In the early months of 2021, an offensive was launched by the main rebel group of the country, the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), in the north of the country from its bases located in Libya.</p>

<p>On April 20, the army announced that Marshal Deby, the iron-fisted ruler of Chad for the previous three decades, had succumbed to the wounds which he had sustained in the fighting.</p>

<p>The officials announced his death just a day after his victory in a presidential election was announced which gave him a sixth term in office.</p>

<p>One of his sons General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno immediately succeeded him as he took the charge of a 15-member military junta.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Chad: 60 killed in pro-democracy protests; clashes after military pushes elections to 2024</strong></p>

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<p>FACT lawyer Francis Lokoulde said that various defendants were ordered to pay damages of more than $32 million to the government and $1.6 million to the family of the ex-president.</p>

<p>"It's a masquerade that follows no law, no convention. All that comes from a willingness to criminalise our struggle. The verdict is a non-event," FACT leader Mahamat Mahdi Ali said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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More than 400 rebels were given life sentences in Chad on Tuesday following former ruler Idriss Deby Itno's death, who was killed in 2021, said a public prosecutor.

More than 400 rebels were given life sentences in Chad on Tuesday following former ruler Idriss Deby Itno's death, who was killed in 2021, said a public prosecutor. After the end of a mass trial, the rebels were sentenced for "acts of terrorism, mercenarism, recruitment of child soldiers and assaulting the head of state," stated Mahamat El-Hadj Abba Nana, prosecutor for the capital N'Djamena. He refused to reveal the detailed figure of the rebels imprisoned, stating that only "more than 400 were sentenced" to life, while officials acquitted 24 other defendants. Last month, the trial opened behind closed doors at Klessoum prison which is located 20 kilometres (12 miles) southeast of the capital. ALSO READ | South African investigator Cloete Murray, who looked into state corruption, shot dead along with son In the early months of 2021, an offensive was launched by the main rebel group of the country, the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), in the north of the country from its bases located in Libya. On April 20, the army announced that Marshal Deby, the iron-fisted ruler of Chad for the previous three decades, had succumbed to the wounds which he had sustained in the fighting. The officials announced his death just a day after his victory in a presidential election was announced which gave him a sixth term in office. One of his sons General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno immediately succeeded him as he took the charge of a 15-member military junta. WATCH | Chad: 60 killed in pro-democracy protests; clashes after military pushes elections to 2024 FACT lawyer Francis Lokoulde said that various defendants were ordered to pay damages of more than $32 million to the government and $1.6 million to the family of the ex-president. "It's a masquerade that follows no law, no convention. All that comes from a willingness to criminalise our struggle. The verdict is a non-event," FACT leader Mahamat Mahdi Ali said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Chad: 400 rebels imprisoned for life after death of ruler

<p>Attacks by marauding gang members continued for third night in northeast Brazil in spite of security having been strengthened, authorities said on Thursday (March 16). Media reports showed images of public buses and building set on fire in nine cities, including in Natal, the state capital of northeastern state of Grande do Norte state. The unrest began late on Monday.</p>

<p>Imprisoned gang leaders have stoked the unrest to protest against jail conditions and new regulations that seek to stop the criminal activity within&nbsp;the state penal system.</p>

<p>In Natal, a garbage collection centre, a supermarket and a gas station were all set ablaze, the G1 news site said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Never in my life have I seen something like this going on. We left for work... and we came across this. It is very sad," Reinaldo Silva, a mason in Natal, told AFP.</p>

<p>And additional 220 federal police have been sent to the state. Reinforcement may climb as high as 800 in coming days, said Justice and Security Minister Flavio Dino as he spoke with CNN.</p>

<p>At least 28 urban areas in the state have been hit by the disturbances this week, authorities said.</p>

<p>Local media have carried footage of vehicles in flames, and of police cruisers, businesses and government buildings riddled with bullets.</p>

<p>Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hasn't spoken in public about the disorder.</p>

<p>At least two people were killed in clashes with police earlier in the week, and 67 people have been arrested, public security sources in the state told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Attacks by marauding gang members continued for third night in northeast Brazil in spite of security having been strengthened, authorities said on Thursday (March 16).

Attacks by marauding gang members continued for third night in northeast Brazil in spite of security having been strengthened, authorities said on Thursday (March 16). Media reports showed images of public buses and building set on fire in nine cities, including in Natal, the state capital of northeastern state of Grande do Norte state. The unrest began late on Monday. Imprisoned gang leaders have stoked the unrest to protest against jail conditions and new regulations that seek to stop the criminal activity within the state penal system. In Natal, a garbage collection centre, a supermarket and a gas station were all set ablaze, the G1 news site said. "Never in my life have I seen something like this going on. We left for work... and we came across this. It is very sad," Reinaldo Silva, a mason in Natal, told AFP. And additional 220 federal police have been sent to the state. Reinforcement may climb as high as 800 in coming days, said Justice and Security Minister Flavio Dino as he spoke with CNN. At least 28 urban areas in the state have been hit by the disturbances this week, authorities said. Local media have carried footage of vehicles in flames, and of police cruisers, businesses and government buildings riddled with bullets. Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hasn't spoken in public about the disorder. At least two people were killed in clashes with police earlier in the week, and 67 people have been arrested, public security sources in the state told AFP. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Brazil cities face gang violence as imprisoned gangsters stoke arson, unrest

<p>After&nbsp;10&nbsp;years&nbsp;in&nbsp;prison&nbsp;for "insulting Islam,"&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;blogger&nbsp;and human rights activist&nbsp;Raif&nbsp;Badawi, who has become a symbol of freedom of expression around the world, was&nbsp;released&nbsp;on Friday.</p>

<p>"Raif&nbsp;called me. He is free," his wife Ensaf Haidar, who lives in Canada with their three children and had been fiercely advocating for his release, told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Badawi's release was also confirmed by a&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;security official, who said on condition of anonymity that "he was&nbsp;released&nbsp;today."</p>

<p>"I jumped when I found out. I couldn't believe it. I can't wait to see my dad, I'm so excited," one of his daughters, Nawja&nbsp;Badawi, 18, told AFP.</p>

<p>The winner of the Reporters Without Borders prize for press freedom was arrested and detained in&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia in 2012 on charges of "insulting Islam."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-salvador-orders-arrest-of-former-president-over-killing-of-six-jesuits-in-civil-war-461506">El Salvador orders arrest of former president over killing of six Jesuits in civil war</a></strong></p>

<p>At the end of 2014,&nbsp;Badawi, now 38, was sentenced to&nbsp;10&nbsp;years&nbsp;in&nbsp;prison&nbsp;and 50 lashes a week for twenty weeks.</p>

<p>His first flogging in Jeddah square in&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia shocked the world and was described by the United Nations as "cruel and inhuman."&nbsp;After&nbsp;the outcry, he was not lashed again.</p>

<p>"Raif&nbsp;Badawi, human rights defender in&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, has finally been&nbsp;released!" Amnesty International tweeted.</p>

<p>"Thousands of you have mobilized alongside us in the defense of&nbsp;Raif&nbsp;Badawi&nbsp;for&nbsp;10&nbsp;years. A big thank you to all of you for your tireless support."</p>

<p>Colette Lelievre, a Montreal-based campaign organizer with Amnesty who has worked on&nbsp;Badawi's case, said his release was "a great relief."</p>

<p>"Ensaf was at a loss for words," Lelievre said Friday. "She worked so hard to free her husband that emotions overwhelmed her."</p>

<p><strong>&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;travel ban</strong></p>

<p>Every Friday for almost seven&nbsp;years, Haidar -- who fled to Canada&nbsp;after&nbsp;Badawi's arrest and has since become a Canadian citizen -- held a public vigil for him.</p>

<p>She told AFP in late February at the 374th vigil in Sherbrooke, Quebec where she lives that she'd been able to maintain contact with her husband, speaking with him "up to three times a week" by telephone.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ill-be-a-president-for-all-chileans-gabriel-boric-461483">'I'll be a president for all Chileans', says Gabriel Boric</a></strong></p>

<p>Canada's Quebec province has paved the way for&nbsp;Badawi&nbsp;to come to the country if he chooses by placing him on a priority list of potential immigrants for humanitarian reasons.</p>

<p>"Finally!" Quebec Premier Francois Legault tweeted Friday about his release, adding: "I keep thinking about the children who will finally see their father!"</p>

<p>No details of&nbsp;Badawi's release conditions were immediately available.</p>

<p>But Amnesty noted that the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;blogger&nbsp;could still face a&nbsp;10-year ban on all travel outside&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, as this had been part of his original sentence.</p>

<p>The NGO added in an email to AFP that it would "actively work to have any conditions lifted."</p>

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he was "relieved that&nbsp;Raif&nbsp;Badawi&nbsp;has finally been&nbsp;released."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our officials are now working to seek clarity on the conditions of his release," he added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-owner-defends-policy-on-calls-for-violence-that-angered-russia-461496">Meta defends policy on calls for violence that angered Russia</a></strong></p>

<p>Irwin Cotler, a former Canadian justice minister and&nbsp;Badawi's international legal counsel, said in a statement he hoped that "Saudi&nbsp;authorities will compassionately allow for his reunification with his wife and young children in Canada."</p>

<p>International non-governmental groups and the United Nations continue to denounce the repression of dissenting voices and the imprisonment of activists in&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, despite the kingdom's efforts to improve its image by undertaking certain reforms.</p>

<p>Raif&nbsp;Badawi's sister, Samar&nbsp;Badawi, as well as activist Nassima al-Sadah,&nbsp;released&nbsp;in 2021, remain stranded in the kingdom.</p>

<p>A Sunni Muslim like most Saudis,&nbsp;Raif&nbsp;Badawi&nbsp;studied economics and ran an institute for learning English and computer skills, according to his wife.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Saudi Arabia, UAE ignore phone calls from Biden</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-saudi-arabia-uae-ignore-phone-calls-from-biden-460694/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Known for his writings in support of freedom of expression, the&nbsp;blogger&nbsp;won the 2014 Reporters Without Borders prize in the net-citizen category.</p>

<p>He was also awarded the Sakharov&nbsp;Prize&nbsp;for Freedom by the European Parliament in 2015, and in 2015 and 2016, he was among the nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize.</p>


After 10 years in prison for "insulting Islam," Saudi blogger and human rights activist Raif Badawi, who has become a symbol of freedom of expression around the world, was released on Friday.

After 10 years in prison for "insulting Islam," Saudi blogger and human rights activist Raif Badawi, who has become a symbol of freedom of expression around the world, was released on Friday. "Raif called me. He is free," his wife Ensaf Haidar, who lives in Canada with their three children and had been fiercely advocating for his release, told AFP. Badawi's release was also confirmed by a Saudi security official, who said on condition of anonymity that "he was released today." "I jumped when I found out. I couldn't believe it. I can't wait to see my dad, I'm so excited," one of his daughters, Nawja Badawi, 18, told AFP. The winner of the Reporters Without Borders prize for press freedom was arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia in 2012 on charges of "insulting Islam." Also read | El Salvador orders arrest of former president over killing of six Jesuits in civil war At the end of 2014, Badawi, now 38, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 50 lashes a week for twenty weeks. His first flogging in Jeddah square in Saudi Arabia shocked the world and was described by the United Nations as "cruel and inhuman." After the outcry, he was not lashed again. "Raif Badawi, human rights defender in Saudi Arabia, has finally been released!" Amnesty International tweeted. "Thousands of you have mobilized alongside us in the defense of Raif Badawi for 10 years. A big thank you to all of you for your tireless support." Colette Lelievre, a Montreal-based campaign organizer with Amnesty who has worked on Badawi's case, said his release was "a great relief." "Ensaf was at a loss for words," Lelievre said Friday. "She worked so hard to free her husband that emotions overwhelmed her." Saudi travel ban Every Friday for almost seven years, Haidar -- who fled to Canada after Badawi's arrest and has since become a Canadian citizen -- held a public vigil for him. She told AFP in late February at the 374th vigil in Sherbrooke, Quebec where she lives that she'd been able to maintain contact with her husband, speaking with him "up to three times a week" by telephone. Also read | 'I'll be a president for all Chileans', says Gabriel Boric Canada's Quebec province has paved the way for Badawi to come to the country if he chooses by placing him on a priority list of potential immigrants for humanitarian reasons. "Finally!" Quebec Premier Francois Legault tweeted Friday about his release, adding: "I keep thinking about the children who will finally see their father!" No details of Badawi's release conditions were immediately available. But Amnesty noted that the Saudi blogger could still face a 10-year ban on all travel outside Saudi Arabia, as this had been part of his original sentence. The NGO added in an email to AFP that it would "actively work to have any conditions lifted." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he was "relieved that Raif Badawi has finally been released." "Our officials are now working to seek clarity on the conditions of his release," he added. Also read | Meta defends policy on calls for violence that angered Russia Irwin Cotler, a former Canadian justice minister and Badawi's international legal counsel, said in a statement he hoped that "Saudi authorities will compassionately allow for his reunification with his wife and young children in Canada." International non-governmental groups and the United Nations continue to denounce the repression of dissenting voices and the imprisonment of activists in Saudi Arabia, despite the kingdom's efforts to improve its image by undertaking certain reforms. Raif Badawi's sister, Samar Badawi, as well as activist Nassima al-Sadah, released in 2021, remain stranded in the kingdom. A Sunni Muslim like most Saudis, Raif Badawi studied economics and ran an institute for learning English and computer skills, according to his wife. Watch | Gravitas: Saudi Arabia, UAE ignore phone calls from Biden Known for his writings in support of freedom of expression, the blogger won the 2014 Reporters Without Borders prize in the net-citizen category. He was also awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom by the European Parliament in 2015, and in 2015 and 2016, he was among the nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Saudi blogger Raif Badawi released after 10 years in prison

Dozens of Turkish demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the arrests of two journalists and an academic on charges of disseminating &quot;terrorist propaganda&quot;. A fourth journalist was released after a brief detention.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, protesters chanted &quot;a free press cannot be silenced&quot; and &quot;arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us&quot;. Others held up a banner that read: &quot;Thinking cannot be jailed&quot;.<br />
<br />
The demonstration comes a day after a Turkish court ordered the pre-trial arrest of Reporters Without Borders&#39; Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu, journalist Ahmet Nesin and academic Sebnem Korur Fincanci.<br />
<br />
The three had participated in a solidarity campaign in support of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish publication subject to multiple investigations and lawsuits.<br />
<br />
Press freedom advocates warn that freedom of expression has dramatically declined in Turkey. More than a dozen journalists are in prison, although the government insists they have been jailed for criminal activity, not journalistic work.<br />
<br />
The state-run Anadolu Agency said Onderoglu, Nesin and Fincanci had acted as chief editors for a day for the pro-Kurdish publication and issues they edited in May and June included alleged terrorist propaganda. The news agency also said the court ordered the suspects&#39; arrest on &quot;strong criminal suspicion&quot;.<br />
<br />
Reporters Without Borders condemned their arrests as &quot;an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey&quot;. Human Rights Watch slammed the &quot;spurious allegations&quot; that led to the detention of three out of 44 participants in the solidarity campaign and urged their immediate release.<br />
<br />
HRW Europe and Central Asia Director, Hugh Williamson, said the arrests showed that &quot;Turkish authorities have no hesitation about targeting well-known rights defenders and journalists who have played a key role in documenting the sharp deterioration in human rights in the country&quot;.<br />
<br />
In a separate development, a New York-based journalist who covers the United Nations for the Turkish Hurriyet daily was released Tuesday morning. Razi Canikligil was detained for almost a full day after flying into Istanbul airport with his family.<br />
<br />
&quot;They arrested me in front of my three boys,&quot; Canikligil told the AP. &quot;They were very afraid.&quot;<br />
<br />
The journalist said an arrest warrant had been issued against him over a 2014 Twitter post on a troll account, which was mistakenly attributed to him and deemed to be offensive to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.<br />
<br />
No charges were pressed against Canikligil, and his passport was returned to him after a night in detention at Istanbul Ataturk Airport.<br />
<br />
&quot;Everyone was suggesting that this was government pressure to shut me down,&quot; added the journalist. &quot;We didn&#39;t know what the issue<br />
was.&quot;<br />
<br />
(AFP)

Reporters Without Borders calls the arrests 'an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey', which has imprisoned over a dozen journalists

Dozens of Turkish demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the arrests of two journalists and an academic on charges of disseminating "terrorist propaganda". A fourth journalist was released after a brief detention. Yesterday, protesters chanted "a free press cannot be silenced" and "arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us". Others held up a banner that read: "Thinking cannot be jailed". The demonstration comes a day after a Turkish court ordered the pre-trial arrest of Reporters Without Borders' Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu, journalist Ahmet Nesin and academic Sebnem Korur Fincanci. The three had participated in a solidarity campaign in support of Ozgur Gundem, a pro-Kurdish publication subject to multiple investigations and lawsuits. Press freedom advocates warn that freedom of expression has dramatically declined in Turkey. More than a dozen journalists are in prison, although the government insists they have been jailed for criminal activity, not journalistic work. The state-run Anadolu Agency said Onderoglu, Nesin and Fincanci had acted as chief editors for a day for the pro-Kurdish publication and issues they edited in May and June included alleged terrorist propaganda. The news agency also said the court ordered the suspects' arrest on "strong criminal suspicion". Reporters Without Borders condemned their arrests as "an unbelievable low for press freedom in Turkey". Human Rights Watch slammed the "spurious allegations" that led to the detention of three out of 44 participants in the solidarity campaign and urged their immediate release. HRW Europe and Central Asia Director, Hugh Williamson, said the arrests showed that "Turkish authorities have no hesitation about targeting well-known rights defenders and journalists who have played a key role in documenting the sharp deterioration in human rights in the country". In a separate development, a New York-based journalist who covers the United Nations for the Turkish Hurriyet daily was released Tuesday morning. Razi Canikligil was detained for almost a full day after flying into Istanbul airport with his family. "They arrested me in front of my three boys," Canikligil told the AP. "They were very afraid." The journalist said an arrest warrant had been issued against him over a 2014 Twitter post on a troll account, which was mistakenly attributed to him and deemed to be offensive to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. No charges were pressed against Canikligil, and his passport was returned to him after a night in detention at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. "Everyone was suggesting that this was government pressure to shut me down," added the journalist. "We didn't know what the issue was." (AFP)

Turkish demonstrators protest arrest of 2 journalists and 1 academic for 'terrorist propaganda'

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