Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and Bulkington, took the opportunity to take part in a Parliamentary delegation to Saudi Arabia in order to highlight the case of Maher Luqman, a British national who is 75 years old and currently detained in Saudi Arabia.
His sister, Rugby resident Huda Luqman, raised her family’s concerns with Mark about Mr Luqman’s access to medical treatment.
During the visit Mark spoke with the Saudi Justice Minister, Dr Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani, about the concerns of Mr Luqman’s family.
Speaking after the visit to Saudi Arabia, Mark said:
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to raise the case of Mr Luqman with the Saudi authorities. I was first made aware of his families concerns after meeting with his sister in January. Following this meeting, I informed my colleagues in the Foreign Office of Mr Luqman’s treatment and asked them to urgently investigate these issues.”
Mark continued:
“The meeting with the Minister of Justice, Dr Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani, was productive and I thanked him for the attention they have given to Mr Luqman’s case. I am pleased to have been informed that the appropriate support is being provided for Mr Luqman and that the British consulate are continuing to support his case.”
Mark concluded:
“The UK has a close relationship with Saudi Arabia and it is right that we use the opportunity of this delegation to the bilateral dialogue that already occurs between our countries, which is vital for our national security. However, the British Government will not shy away from raising legitimate concerns, both in public and in private, with the Saudi authorities.”