Rights activist jailed

ASSOCIATED PRESS

RIYADH: Amnesty International says a Saudi Arabian court has convicted a prominent rights activist of anti-state crimes and sentenced him to four years in prison. The London-based group says activist Mohammed al-Bajady was tried in secret. He was detained a year ago and is believed to have been on a hunger strike for a month. Amnesty said in a statement on Tuesday that it has ‘credible information’ that a Specialised Criminal Court in Riyadh found al-Bajady guilty of several offenses, including participating in the establishment of a human rights organisation and harming the image of Saudi Arabia in media articles. — AP

Lagos under threat

LAGOS: The US warned its citizens on Wednesday that a radical Islamist sect may attack hotels frequented by foreigners in Nigeria’s capital, the second time it has advised such an assault is possible in the widening sectarian fight in the West African nation. The warning offered no specifics about the threat posed by the sect known as Boko Haram, only saying that the Nigerian government was aware and taking precautions to stop such an assault. The United Kingdom also issued an advisory to its citizens Wednesday noting the US message, saying its ‘existing travel advice is consistent with this warning’. Deb MacLean, a spokeswoman with the US Embassy, said she could not offer any other information.

Man strips at airport

PORTLAND: Port of Portland police say a 49-year-old man stripped naked at Portland International Airport as a protest against airport security screeners. The incident report said John E Brennan’s actions on Tuesday evening caused some passengers to cover their eyes and their children’s eyes while others looked, laughed and took photos. Two screening lanes were temporarily closed. Police say the Portland man was arrested for investigation of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. The Oregonian newspaper reports that the Port of Portland summary said Brennan ‘disrobed completely naked’ while going through a security screening area.