Twitter sees another outcry, with calls for the arrest of a second Saudi-based user for apostasy

A second man has been accused of apostasy by Twitter users in Saudi Arabia, following statements made on the social network, Emirates 24/7 reports.

As was seen in the case of Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari, Mohamed Salama, an Arab man living in Riyadh, who’s nationality has not been revealed, is said to have made several remarks on Twitter, which has led to an outcry by Saudi Twitter users, demanding his arrest.

Salama has since shut down his Twitter account, but according to Arabic newspaper, al Sabq, he lost his job at a dairy company as a result of the statements he posted.

According to RT [Arabic], Salama’s statements, made both on YouTube and Twitter, have been saved by other users, who anticipated his decision to delete them.

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Salama’s case has been quick to draw parallels with Kashgari’s case. The Saudi journalist was deported from Malaysia back to Saudi Arabia following an attempt to flee the country, after an uproar was caused by a series of tweets he posted, which were deemed blasphemous.

Kasghari’s critics called for his arrest, while some even went so far as to call for his death. While in Saudi Arabia, apostasy is punishable by death, Kashgari’s fate remains unknown, despite reports that he was to be released following his public repentance in a Riyadh court.

Several hashtags have appeared on Twitter in Arabic, including one calling for Mohamed Salama to be put on trial, and another calling for his imprisonment, but up until this point, Saudi authorities do not appear to have become involved in the matter.