WA Senator Scott Ludlam is asking the government to urgently investigate the case of two Perth men who are apparently in a lot of trouble in Saudi Arabia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirms that 25-year-old Shayden Thorne was arrested by Saudi authorities for allegedly “terrorism” 18 months ago and is being detained in a prison near Riyadh.

His brother 23-year-old Junaid Muhammed Thorne is in hiding after he too was detained without charges but released after two months.  The younger Thorne said he was protesting the Saudi government’s treatment of political prisoners.

“Saudi Arabia is not renowned for due process, rule of law or fair treatment of suspects. It is essential that the federal government makes the maximum effort to protect the human rights of Junaid and Shayden Thorne,” said Ludlum.

The Greens Senator and Thorne’s mother says Shayden have been abused by Saudi authorities during interrogation, and by sleep depravation.