Saudi Arabia: Two Egyptian Coptic Christians jailed by Saudi authorities have been released 17 days after their arrest for establishing an expatriate house church in the capital of Riyadh. Dr Sabry Awad Gayed and Eskander Guirguis Eskander, both 38, were informed when they were discharged from prison on November 11 that they were being released 'with the approval of their sponsors.' The charges against the men were not dropped or the case closed. The two men were released by specific orders of Prince Sultan, who had been asked to review the file against the two Christians, said to be jailed for no valid reason. The Saudi Ministry of Interior typically deports expatriate Christians accused of involvement in 'illegal' worship activities. But after Gayed was set free, his Saudi employer told him that he was trying to transfer him to one of his other medical clinics in a different area. The two Christians were not physically abused and were given 'respectful' treatment during their 17 days in custody. (Compass Direct)