Four Britons can sue over 'torture' in Saudi prison

Four British men who say that they were tortured in a Saudi jail won the right yesterday to claim damages against their alleged abusers in the English courts.

Four British men who say that they were tortured in a Saudi jail won the right yesterday to claim damages against their alleged abusers in the English courts.

The four were given the right to pursue their cases against named Saudi officials, including Prince Naif, the country's Interior Minister.

The ruling was hailed as a victory for human rights by the men's lawyer Geoffrey Bindman. "This judgment means that they, and other victims of torture abroad, may have redress in the British courts. The impact will be felt worldwide," he said.

The men were arrested and beaten into signing confessions for a series of bombings in 2000.

Last July, the High Court blocked their attempt to seek damages from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the ground state immunity. Yesterday the Court of Appeal ruled that they can take action against their alleged torturers.