SAUDI WOMAN’S ARREST A ‘STARK ILLUSTRATION’ FOR CANADA

OTTAWA — The Liberal government’s plan to push ahead with a $15-billion deal to sell armoured combat vehicles to Saudi Arabia faces fresh criticism after the Saudis arrested the sister of a prominent blogger who has ties to Canada.

Amnesty International reported Tuesday that Samar Badawi was arrested with her two-year-old daughter in the Saudi city of Jeddah after using Twitter to campaign for the release of her ex-husband, who is serving a 15-year sentence for his work as a human rights lawyer.

Samar Badawi is also the sister of Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for “insulting Islam through electronic channels.” Raif Badawi’s wife and three children live in Quebec, after fleeing to Canada more than a year ago.

Raif Badawi’s connection to Canada has cast a sharp light on a deal, facilitated by the federal government, to sell $15-billion worth of military vehicles to Saudi Arabia. The deal was inked under the Conservatives, but the Liberals say they won’t cancel it despite growing concerns about the Saudis’ human rights record.

Human rights groups say there is a growing pattern of abuse and repression by the Saudi government, particularly against those critical of the regime. Saudi Arabia executed 47 people, including a prominent Shiite Muslim cleric, on Jan. 2, sparking a tense standoff with Iran.

Amnesty International Canada secretary general Alex Neve said Samar Badawi’s arrest is another “stark illustration” of Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record and “defiance” in the face of international criticism. He said it is also another argument for transparency on the arms deal with Canada.

“Canadians want and need to know on what basis both the past and current government have concluded that, against this human rights backdrop, it’s all right to sell these lightarmoured vehicles to the Saudi government,” Neve said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion’s office is aware of the reports of Samar Badawi’s detention and is working to verify them, spokesman Adam Barratt said.

Dion has previously stood by the deal, saying “what is done is done,” and the government will instead focus on how projects are assessed in the future.

The government says the deal will support 3,000 jobs in Canada. This includes hundreds at the London, Ont., plant where the vehicles are assembled.

ADAM BERRY/GETTY IMAGES German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel says all pending arms deals with Saudi Arabia will be closely monitored.

JEWEL SAMAD AFP/GETTY IMAGES Samar Badawi is pictured with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2012 after receiving the International Women of Courage Award. A report Tuesday says Badawi was arrested with her daughter in Saudi Arabia.