Saudi Arabia - Atheists in Saudi Arabia were officially declared terrorists and face up to 20 years of imprisonment for any critical remarks about the government or Islam.
The new decree by King Abdullah place secular citizens who commit "thought crimes" in the same category as violent terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch and Saudi Hezbollah.
Under the new laws, anyone who fights in conflicts abroad is facing up to 20 years of prison. This is an apparent move to deter Saudis from joining rebels in Syria and then posing a security risk once they return home.
Also, the laws apply to any Saudi citizen or a foreigner residing in the kingdom who 'calls for atheist thought in any form or calls into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion on which this country is based.
Saudi Arabia's Islamic religious authorities have spoken out against Saudi fighters going to Syria, but the Interior Ministry estimates that around 1,200 Saudis have gone nonetheless.
The laws have been denounced by human rights groups for making no distinction between religious expression and violent extremism. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Time shall tell. The "Bin Ladens" are still there.
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