Sweden Breaks Arms Agreement, Saudi Arabia Recalls Ambassador [View all]

[Purveyor]

Source: Voice of America

Jamie Dettmer
March 11, 2015 9:35 AM
ISTANBUL, TURKEY—

Sweden has torn up a decades-old, multimillion-dollar arms agreement with Saudi Arabia in a diplomatic dispute sparked by Swedish criticism of Riyadh's human rights record. In response, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Sweden.

The spat between Stockholm and Riyadh was triggered Monday when the Saudis blocked Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom from speaking about women’s rights to a summit of Arab leaders in Cairo. Saudi delegates objected to her condemnation of harsh treatment meted out in 2014 to Saudi blogger and activist Raef Badawi.

He was sentenced to 1,000 lashes, to be administered over 20 weeks this year, and received the first set of 50 in January. The next round has been postponed several times, partly as a result of international pressure.

Arab foreign ministers joined the Saudis in expressing irritation with Wallstrom, saying in a statement that her criticism was “Incompatible with the fact that the constitution of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is based on Sharia [law].”

Read more: http://www.voanews.com/content/sweden-breaks-arms-agreement-saudi-arabia-recalls-ambassador/2675704.html