30 AUGUST 2003, Page 27

Binding obligation

From Abdullah Al Shaghrood Sir: Your column 'Portrait of the Week' (16 August) refers to the recent release and pardoning of six British detainees. In your commentary, you allege that these men have been tortured, adding that this 'is not unusual in Saudi Arabia'.

As a matter of fact, torture is illegal in Saudi Arabia. If anyone was to carry out torture, they would be prosecuted. We are signatories to the international human rights convention against torture and consider that binding. To my knowledge, the six British prisoners have not been mistreated in any way.

Abdullah Al Shaghrood

Saudi Arabian Embassy, London W1