Saudi Arabia announced it will suspend new trade and investment with Canada and recalled its own ambassador after Ottawa urged Riyadh to release arrested civil rights activists.

Saudi “will freeze all new trade and investment transactions with Canada whilst retaining its rights to take further action,” a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry said.

Riyadh also gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador to Canada. According to the statement.

The Saudi ministry had been briefed that the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy urged the Saudi authorities to “immediately release” the civil rights activists, the statement said.

Source: Reuters