According to the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia has halted the development of any further trade or investment with Canada, allegedly after Canada formally weighed in on Saudi Arabia's human rights record, specifically on the imprisonment of Samar Badawi, the sister of Raif Badawi, a blogger who is frequently critical of the Saudi regime and is also currently in prison.

Key highlights

Saudi Arabia has frozen all trade/investment developments with Canada.

The Saudi ambassador to Canada has been recalled to the peninsula for 'consultation'.

The Canadian envoy in Riyadh is no longer welcome.