Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador, freezes trade ties

Saudi Arabia is freezing all new trade and investment with Canada over its "interference" in the Gulf Kingdom's internal affairs.

In a series of tweets, the Saudi foreign ministry said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and recalling its own envoy in Canada.

The move comes after Canada said it was "gravely concerned" about the arrest of several human rights activists, including Saudi-American women's rights campaigner Samar Badawi.

Ms Badawi had been calling for an end to Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system.

The Saudi foreign ministry said it "will not accept any form of interfering" in its internal affairs.

It referred to last week's statement by the Canadian foreign ministry, which urged Riyadh to "immediately release" civil society and women's rights activists.

The ministry described Canada's position as "an attack" on the kingdom, saying it would now:

• Freeze all new trade and investment transactions between the two countries
• Consider the Canadian ambassador persona non grata and order the envoy to leave within 24 hours
• Recall the Saudi envoy in Canada
• Reserve the right to take further action

Canada's government has so far made no public comments on Saudi Arabia's diplomatic measures.

The arrests are at odds with the progressive image the government has projected this year under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

- BBC