A man was hurriedly deported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday after lying in a coma for two days following brutal mistreatment in a Saudi prison.

Wilfredo Caliuag, a Filipino Christian and resident of Jiddah on the south-west coast of Saudi Arabia, was arrested on July 5th 2001 on fabricated charges of the illegal use of an alias.

During his detention, Wilfredo was accused of being a religious teacher and was interrogated to try to extract information about the underground network of Christian believers in Jiddah.

Wilfredo complained of the severe heat inside the detention cells, which reached well over 40 degrees centigrade. No medicines were provided to treat scratches and skin conditions from which he suffered. Wilfredo testified to the deaths of two inmates during his incarceration.

On 31st July, Wilfredo was suddenly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Red Sea King Abdul Aziz Hospital where friends, who were allowed access to visit him the next day, found him on a complete life-support system. Clinical records revealed Wilfredo had suffered a severe heat stroke but tell-tale bruises were also unofficially reported. Wilfredo was later transferred to a ward where his feet were kept in chains.

This shocking story comes at a time when the authorities in Jiddah have launched what appears to be a crackdown on expatriate Christian residents of city.

Prabhu Isaac, an Indian, and Eskinder Menghis, an Eritrean, were both remanded in custody when Saudi police stormed into their homes late at night and interrogated them in connection with their Christian activities.

Prabhu Isaac, 46, a hospital worker and resident of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for seventeen years received an unexpected visit by seven members of the muttawa, Saudi Arabia's religious police, at 11pm on July 18th, 2001.

Bibles, songbooks, photographs, cassette tapes and Prabhu's personal computer which was believed to contain the names and addresses of other Christians in the city were seized in the raid.

Eskinder Menghis, father of three, was arrested on July 25th, when five agents of the Ministry of Interior raided his home at midnight. It is believed that Eskinder's name was among those listed on Prabhu Isaac's computer.

Both men have been held incommunicado in separate prisons since their arrest.

The men's wives are desperate to be able to visit their husbands. Prabhu's wife, who was scheduled to leave the Kingdom on July 22nd reportedly said, "What do I do? I am not leaving without my husband."

A source in Jiddah described the situation as "very tense".

Saudi Arabia prohibits the public practice of any religion other than Islam, even by foreign nationals. Although senior Government officials have repeatedly guaranteed the protection of individuals who worship privately in their own homes, Christians continue to be arrested.

Stuart Windsor, national director of CSW said, "Saudi Arabia continues to violate even the most basic human rights standards. The international
community must make a stand for these innocent victims who face imprisonment solely on account of their religious beliefs."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Prabhu Isaac and Eskinder Menghis, whom they believe to be prisoners of conscience. CSW also strongly urges the government of Saudi Arabia to safeguard the freedom of non-Sunni Muslims to worship in private.

For further information, please contact Tina Lambert on +44 20 8942 8810. Email: TinaLambert@csw.org.uk