Families fight for Saudi accused

LONDON, England -- The families of four Britons facing flogging for illegal liquor trading in Saudi Arabia are placing their hopes on behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

Following reports that one of the men had been tortured in prison, the families issued a statement saying their main concern was "to get them home safe and well."

"We are grateful for everyone's concern, but right now, we know that their fate is in Saudi hands and we want nothing to be done or said that would aggravate their position," the statement continued.

Paul Moss of Merseyside, was last month sentenced to 500 lashes and two years in jail while Ken Hartley faces 300 lashes and two-and-a-half years behind bars.

Kevin Hawkins, from Lancaster, was sentenced to 500 lashes and two-and-a-half years and his son-in-law Dave Mornin, from Greenock, 300 lashes, one year in jail and a £7,400 fine.

The men may still lodge appeals and the lashings could be commuted to longer prison terms.

A fifth Briton, Ron Yates, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, is still being held in prison in Riyadh but it is not known whether he has been charged yet.

A Foreign Office spokesman told the Press Association the relatives did not wish to be identified but they were in close contact with them.

"They said they were finding it very difficult to cope with the media pressure. They don't want press coverage to be such that it would make their positions as families more difficult than they already are."

The Foreign Office confirmed the British Ambassador in Riyadh, Derek Plumbly, was arranging to meet high-ranking Saudi officials to make clear Britain's opposition to the flogging sentences.

Foreign Office officials are also continuing to investigate reports that one of the men was beaten and prevented from using the toilet during his detention.

It is alleged that he wrote down what had happened to him on scraps of paper which were smuggled out by another prisoner. His identity has been kept secret by the families for fear of reprisals.

The sentences come after a crackdown on the illegal alcohol trade in tee-total Saudi Arabia.

Authorities in the kingdom have blamed a spate of bomb attacks, which killed one Briton and wounded several others, on illegal liquor trading.

Sandy Mitchell faces beheading after making a "confession" on Saudi TV to the bombings.