Saudi Arabia blocks flights from Canada

Flight ban is the latest escalation in a diplomatic dispute over jailed activists

Saudi Arabia has banned flights from Canada in escalating diplomatic row over human rights
(Image credit: 2011 Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia’s state airline has suspended its direct flight service to Toronto, in an escalation of a diplomatic row between the two nations sparked by Canada’s call for the release of human rights activists detained in the kingdom.

The move follows Saudi Arabia’s freezing of all new investment and trade with Canada, the expulsion of the Canadian ambassador and the recall of the Saudi ambassador.

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