Wife of jailed human rights activist being held in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested Samar Badawi, the wife of jailed prominent human rights campaigner Waleed Abu al-Khair

Samar Badawi, the wife of jailed Saudi human rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair has been arrested
Samar Badawi, the wife of jailed Saudi human rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair has been arrested
Samar, is also the sister of blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for 'insulting Islam'
Samar, is also the sister of blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for 'insulting Islam'

The wife of jailed prominent human rights campaigner Waleed Abu al-Khair has been arrested by Saudi authorities, reports claim.

Activists report that Samar Badawi is being detained for allegedly managing a Twitter account calling for the release of her husband.

Amnesty International has called the arrest "the latest example of Saudi Arabia's utter contempt" for human rights.

According to reports, Badawi was arrested on Tuesday in Jeddah and transferred along with her two-year-old daughter to a police station, where she was questioned and sent to prison. Amnesty International has said that she is expected to appear before a prosecutor later on Wednesday.

Saudi officials have not publicly commented on the issue.

Badawi’s husband, Abu al-Khair is the founder of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia group, was imprisoned for 15 years for "undermining the regime" in 2014.

Badawi is also the sister of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam in 2014.