DESPITE U.S. APPEAL, CHRISTIANS REMAIN IN SAUDI JAIL
ABU DHABI [MENL] -- Saudi Arabia has refused a U.S. appeal to release more
than a dozen Christians accused of practicing their faith.The Christians were arrested in a series of raids that began in July in
the Saudi city of Jedda. U.S. diplomats raised the issue with the kingdom
and were told that the Christians would be released.Western diplomatic sources said the Christians were from African and
Asian countries. They included Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and the
Philippines.The sources said the last round of arrests took place in November. Seven
Ethiopian nationals were rounded up as they left a prayer meeting in a
Jedda.The practice of any other religion but Islam is banned by Saudi law.
Over the last decade, Saudi authorities had allowed private prayer but have
cracked down on non-Islamic practice during the current Muslim fast month of
Ramadan.The sources said some of the Christians have been told they would be
deported. They said that Saudi authorities have not formally charged the
Christians or told them of why they had been jailed.
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