Amid diplomatic row the Saudi Arabia government announced suspending flights to and from Canada from August 13. It added students studying on scholarships in Canadian institutions too will be called back to the country. Many students are sponsored by the King Abdullah scholarship programme and it covers flights, accommodation, tuition costs and stipend. More than 15,000 Saudi students are currently studying in Canada.
National airline Saudia confirmed Monday suspending all direct flights to and from Toronto from the said date.
Unidentified government official said the students will be accommodated in study programmes in United States, United Kingdom and other countries.
The relationship between the two nations turned sour lately following comment of Toronto saying, “(it was) gravely concerned about the additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights avtivists in Saudi Arabia.”
Earlier, recalled its envoy from Toronto and expelled Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak too.
Meanwhile, expressing concern the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland they will always stand up for the protection of human rights and freedom of expression around the world.
She added, “We will never hesitate to promote these values and we believe that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy.”
Global Affairs Canada tweeted they are concerned about additional arrests in Saudi Arabia and urged immediate release of all the peaceful human rights activists.
Saudi Arabia on its part accused Canada for interfering in internal matters declaring to be freezing all new trade and investments.
It is important to note that Canada imports 10 percent of its crude oil from Saudi Arabia.
