Karnataka expat jailed in Saudi for social media post; Sushma takes up case

New Delhi, Mar 22: Abdul Sattar Makandar, a truck driver, working in Saudi Arabia from the past 23 months has been arrested on the charges of 'spreading misinformation' on social media.

Recently, a video of an Indian migrant worker crying his eyes out due to bad working conditions in Saudi Arabia went viral on social media. The worker has been jailed, according to activists.

Abdul Sattar Makandar, a truck driver and a native of Dandeli, Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, has been working in the Arab country from the past 23 months. He had applied for leave to come home over five months ago.

In the video, Abdul talks about his grievances and explains how his employer is not giving him proper salary or any money for food.

The video was posted by Indian human rights activist Kundan Srivastava but was soon taken down after the legal representatives of Al Suroor United Group approached him. "I urge the Government, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, PMO India Narendra Modi to help Abdul Sattar Makandar to come back to India," said Srivastava, reports The Independent.

Abdul was arrested on charges of 'spreading misinformation' on social media

The Al Suroor United Group has denied the claims made by Abdul and said all workers were entitled leave after two years of service and he is six weeks away from it.

Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister, tweeted about this issue and this is what the Ministry is doing-

Abdul Sattar Makandar - Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has sent me a report with a comprehensive reply from the Company. /1

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 22, 2016

Please let us handle this matter at the diplomatic level. /2

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 22, 2016