OTTAWA, Sept 11: Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat on Wednesday denied allegations that William Sampson, a Canadian citizen, and other Westerners were torturerd during their detention in Riyadh.

“I deny that Sampson or other detainees were subjected to torture,” said the Saudi Ambassador to Canada, Dr Mohammed Al Hussaini.

In a statement, the ambassador said he was pleased that Mr Samson had been granted royal clemency and they all had joined their families.

However, he said, this did not mean they were not guilty. “I do not expect anyone of those released to admit his guilt or to say that he was living happily in detention,” he said, adding: “The laws in Saudi Arabia prohibit torture in all forms. The kingdom is a signatory to the International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination”.

Dr Hussaini said Sampson’s allegations of torture are totally untrue. “On the contrary, he was given full medical attention and access to legal representation, to his father, Canadian government officials in Riyadh as well as to Canadian parliamentarians.”