Saudi Arabia and Canada diplomatic tensions ESCALATE: Activist’s brothers IMPRISONED

Ahmed Abdelaziz Alzahrani, 24, and Abdulmajeed Abdelaziz Alzahrani, 19, are thought to be in custody in Dhahban prison.

Their brother, Omar Abdulaziz, is a Saudi dissident who now lives in Canada after being granted political asylum.

He has been outspoken about the political situation in Saudi Arabia, writing online commentary in Canada.

Mr Abdulaziz is worried his brothers were arrested because of the way he has criticised the leadership.

He also said he warned his family they risked being apprehended by the police unless he stopped speaking out relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada.

He said: “The authorities used me to stop or they are going to arrest them.

“But I decided not to stop.”

Some of his friends were also arrested but he wanted them to remain anonymous to protect their identities.

Mr Abdulaziz does not know whether they have actually been charged with any crime.

The dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia has been ongoing for over a month.

It erupted when an official from Canada tweeted support for two women’s rights activists held in the country in July.

They remain in custody and have since been defended by human rights activists who have claimed they were targeted because of their campaign work.

A strong response from Saudi Arabia followed after they expelled the Canadian ambassador, cancelled all flights to the country and halted trade with Canada.

They also requested all Saudi students studying there to come home.

Saudis seeking medical treatment were also affected as they were told to think about looking for treatment elsewhere.

Despite women being given the right to drive for the first time in June, the Saudi authorities have still been criticised for targeting them.

Amnesty International has announced there is a woman who has been threatened with execution for taking part in a demonstration.

It remains to be seen when this diplomatic feud will end and if Omar Abdulaziz’s brothers will be released.