Seven reasons why Saudi Arabia shouldn't be our friend - and one why it is

SAUDI Arabia is one of Britain's key international allies with ministers and even Royals making every effort to keep the hardline Middle East kingdom on side.

By Greg Heffer, Political Reporter

PUBLISHED: 08:00, Fri, Jan 1, 2016

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David Cameron and Prince Charles are regular visitors to Saudi Arabia

But while Britain imposes tough sanctions on countries like Russia for their war with Ukraine, the Government often falls silent amid claims of human rights abuses and war crimes by Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi royal family regularly face accusations of overseeing a brutal regime where political opponents are executed, all criticism is censored and women are second-class citizens.

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The kingdom has also faced claims it is the breeding ground of Islamist terror groups across the world.

Here are seven reasons why Britain shouldn't be friends with Saudi - and one multi-billion pound reason why it is…

PUNISHMENT

Earlier this year website Middle East Eye published a comparison of punishments within the brutal so-called Islamic State with those dished out by Saudi Arabia.
Spot the difference…

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