Saudi frees kingdom's most popular blogger

Saudi Arabia’s most popular blogger, detained for more than four months after expressing pro-reform opinions, has been released, according to one of his friends.

Fouad al-Farhan is one of the few Saudi bloggers who uses his real name.

"I received a mobile phone message from his wife at 5.30 this morning saying he was released," said Ahmed al-Omran, who published the news on his website.

"It was surprising. After blocking his website, I thought his detention would go on longer. It's good news."

Farhan was detained in early December after running an online campaign over 10 men arrested since February 2007 on suspicion of financing militant groups, but whose supporters say they are being punished for pro-democracy activity.

Saudi authorities blocked Farhan's website earlier this month. His blog discusses freedom, justice, equality and Islamic values, frequently touching on subjects that are sensitive or taboo in Saudi society, his friends said.

An Interior Ministry spokesman said he would not confirm Farhan's release. The ministry had declined to say on what charges he was arrested, but said it was not security related.