http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2011/...ails-12695.htm

Poor Governance at work. This is the type of governmental action designed to counter/prevent insurgents from getting up a head of effective steam (though with twitter, etc can now organize on the fly, so the Cost/Benefit/Effectiveness of such measures has changed dramatically in the past few years). This is also the type of gross injustice under the rule of law, a key component of the type of poor governance that makes the conditions of insurgency grow within an affected populace.

A populace denied legal venues to speak out or affect government WILL ultimately seek illegal venues when pushed hard enough. That is the essence of insurgency.

From the article dated 23 July:


"Human rights activists have said that a counter-terrorism law proposed by the Saudi Arabian government, that mandates jail sentences for criticizing the king, would effectively quash political dissent.

The proposed law would give the Interior Ministry broad powers and mandate jail terms for speaking against the king.

Additionally, the law would allow prisoners to be held with no bail and trials and appeals would be handled secretly, both Saudi and international rights advocates have said.

The new law gives Interior Ministry the ability to tap telephones or search houses without permission from the judiciary, The New York Times reports."

A critical Metric here for those who understand the drivers of insurgency:


"Saudi activists have long accused the judicial system and the Interior Ministry of a lack of respect for human rights, even when such rights exist legally."


Also important:

"Critics said the law's definitions of terrorist crimes are vague enough to encompass all manner of activity.

According to a translation provided by Amnesty International, it uses broad terms like "harming the reputation of the state."

It mandates a 10-year prison term for calling the king or a crown prince an infidel.

Some activists view the law as an attempt by Prince Nayef, the longtime interior minister, to consolidate his power and that of his son, Prince Mohammed, who runs counterterrorism operations."


What is the penalty for calling the King foolish? A piece of unsolicited advice: If you want to stay in power, if you want to retain the wealth, dignity and respect that your family has held for so long, and not always be remembered as the guy who lost it all, this is the absolute wrong direction to go. In the past, yes, this was viable. Now? No more. You cannot control the flow of information to your populace so you cannot control your populace. Now you must actually lead. Now you must actually govern. Now you must actually treat your people with dignity, respect and justice. A few small changes in approach that cost you virtually nothing to implement will make you the greatest king in the history of Saudi Arabia. Laws like this? This could cost you your throne or worse.