Sources close to Saudi Arabia’s opposition abroad have questioned the death of a Saudi royal brigadier, Ali bin Abdullah al-Jarash al-Qahtani. It is believed the officer died as a result of torture at the hands of interrogators at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. He was been arrested on charges of corruption linked to the sons of the late King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz”.
“Al-Qahtani’s health condition was good and he did not suffer from any illness prior to his arrest,” an opposition source reported.
Official reports that al-Qahtani died from a sudden stroke have been dismissed, especially as his sons did not declare the real reason behind their father’s death, nor did they deny reports of his torture.
International human rights and humanitarian organizations have condemned the Saudi government for its denial of visits to relatives of detainees.
Al-Qahtani was arrested last month after his associate, Prince Turki bin Abdullah, was detained on suspicion of corruption linked to the Riyadh metro project.