The two men, Ahmad Abdulaziz Alzahrani, 24, and Abdulmajeed Abdulaziz Alzahrani, 19, are believed to be in Saudi Arabia’s Dhahban prison. Their brother Omar Abdulaziz, a Saudi dissident who was granted political asylum in Canada, told Newsweek that he believes his brothers were targeted because of his outspoken commentary on the political situation in Saudi Arabia.

Omar said Saudi authorities had contacted his family members and said they would be arrested if he didn’t stop speaking out on social media about the diplomatic fallout between Riyadh and Toronto.

“The authorities asked me to stop or they are going to arrest them. But I decided not to stop,” Abdulaziz told Newsweek. He said several of his friends were also arrested, but he declined to give their names to protect their identities, and he said he is not aware of whether they have been charged with any crime.

The government of Saudi Arabia did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.

The diplomatic fallout between the two countries began amidst an ongoing crackdown against dissidents in Saudi Arabia. The dispute began when a Canadian official tweeted a message urging Riyadh to release two women's rights activists who were arrested in Saudi Arabia in July and are still in custody. Human rights advocates had said the two women were targeted because of their advocacy work.

In June, women were granted the right to drive for the first time. The country has also started developing an arts and entertainment industry. Nevertheless, the alleged liberalization has been accompanied by a brutal crackdown against political dissidents or anyone the crown prince views as a threat.

Paradoxically, Saudi officials also arrested some of the activists advocating for women’s right to drive just weeks before women were given permission to get behind the wheel.