Qatar accuses Saudi Arabia of citizen’s arrest

Ag AFP

DOHA: Qatar accused Saudi Arabia on Thursday of a "flagrant violation" of the law after the kingdom´s authorities arrested a Qatari returning from Yemen, the latest Gulf crisis flashpoint.

Doha called for the immediate release of Mohsen Saleh Saadoun al-Qurabi, adding that the Saudis were responsible for his safety and security in a statement released by the ministry of foreign affairs.

"The arrest and detention of the Qatari citizen, Al-Qurabi by the Saudi authorities as he was returning from Yemen on April 21, where he visited his family and without committing any wrongdoing and without any charge, is a flagrant violation of national laws," read the statement.

It said that the 63-year-old suffered from "chronic health problems that require continuous healthcare". Saudi officials contacted by AFP declined to comment.

Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV reported that Yemeni government forces had arrested Al-Qurabi as he attempted to cross the border from Yemen into Oman. The channel described the Qatari as an intelligence officer and said he was arrested "on suspicion of supporting the Houthis", Iran-backed rebels who control the Yemeni capital.