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Thanks to Glenn Reynolds for pointing me to this horrid little tale:

Reformists Ali al-Demaini, Abdullah al-Hamed and Matruk al-Faleh are also accused of "using Western terminology" in demanding political reforms. They also allegedly questioned the king's role as head of the judiciary.

There is more to it. Much more. The Saudi's have changed trial dates to keep reporters out; they have arrested the defense attorney... read the linked article above for more of the long litany of stupidity.

I really wonder how long these people can survive in the modern world. A friend and sometimes co-worker of mine, a member of the old Hashemite line, does not think the Saud's are among the brightest lights in the Muslim Times Square. This ham-fisted approach to democracy activists seems to show the truth of his belief.

As Glenn and others suggested several years ago, we would all be better off if the cultured and educated Hashemites were once again in charge of Mecca.