Saudi Arabia cracks down on Twitter

It looks as if the virtual Saudi Spring has come to an end.

After three years of relative online freedom during which Saudis, inspired by the Arab uprisings, took to social media to demand political and economic reforms or to organize consumer boycott or women driving campaigns, the government is stepping up harassment of Twitter users and bloggers.

Three lawyers who criticized Justice Minister Mohamed al-Issa on Twitter because of the glacial pace of reforming the country’s antiquated legal system are being sued by the ministry. They are accused of defaming the ministry and retweeting caricatures critical of the minister. They have been interrogated since November by the prosecutor general as well as the online publication committee in the information and culture ministry.

New accusations have been added, including "disobeying the ruler and defying the regime," the lawyers said.