The Malaysian authorities must release Hamza Kashgari and not forcibly return him to Saudi Arabia, where he faces risk of execution for his Tweets about the Prophet Mohammed, Amnesty International said.

He was arrested at Kuala Lumpur’s airport Thursday morning and taken away by two plain-clothed men. Amnesty International called on the authorities to reveal his whereabouts, and ensure his access to lawyers. The Malaysian authorities have not charged Kashgari with any recognisable criminal offense.

Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Middle East and North Africa. Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said: “Hamza Kashgari faces imminent risk of forcible return to Saudi Arabia where he could be executed if his statements are deemed to amount to apostas.”

“Amnesty International considers Hamza Kashgari a prisoner of conscience since he is being detained in Malaysia for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.”

Hamza Kashgari, who was born in 1989, left Saudi Arabia on 6 February amid death threats after prominent clerics accused him of apostasy following statements he had posted on Twitter which they deemed to be insulting towards the Prophet Mohammed.

Saudi Arabia applies the death penalty for apostasy.

On 7 February, Saudi Arabia’s king reportedly called on the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior to arrest Hamza Kashgari and hold him accountable for the statements he made.

Hamza Kashgari arrived in Kuala Lumpur on 7 February, and was arrested two days later as was trying to continue his journey to New Zealand.

Media reports have stated that the Malaysian Home Minister confirmed they had arrested him and were in contact with the Saudi Arabian authorities about their next course of action.

Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said: “Saudi Arabian authorities must revoke the request to arrest Hamza Kashgari for exercising his right to freedom of expression, and drop any requests to Malaysia for him to be handed over on this basis,”

“If the Malaysian authorities hand over Hamza Kashgari to Saudi Arabia, they could end up complicit in any violations he suffers.”

Amnesty International said that the Malaysian authorities repress freedom of expression through jail terms and fines, but they do not carry out executions for peaceful exercise of freedom of expression.