Saudi bloggers have criticized a US decision preventing the two daughters of Humaidan Al-Turki, a Saudi national who was convicted in a Colorado court for sexually assaulting his Indonesian housekeeper and keeping her as a virtual slave for four years, from traveling to the US to visit their father, saying it is a clear violation of human rights.

Humaidan’s daughters, Lama and Rubi, were informed about the travel ban by Saudi Arabian Airlines staff at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh four hours before their departure, sabq.org reported Sunday.

“We booked seats on the flight after receiving approval from US authorities to visit our father in prison,” Lama told the electronic daily.

“How can they impose travel ban when my father was arrested for criminal charges, not on political grounds?” Lama wondered.

“How can this happen in a country known for democracy, justice and equality?” said one Saudi.

“The US is the largest violator of human rights contrary to claims that it symbolizes freedom, justice and equality,” said another citizen, who requested anonymity.

“Where are the organizations that call for the protection of women’s rights?” asked another Saudi blogger censuring the US action.

Humaidan was sentenced to 27 years in prison by Judge Mark Hannen in Arapahoe County District Court for 12 felony counts involving his Indonesian housekeeper.

Charges include sexual assault, criminal extortion and theft.

Al-Turki, who was a Ph.D. student in the US, has denied having enslaved the woman or abusing her, insisting that he treated the alleged victim the way a man would treat his own daughter.

Lama said: “When we approached the Saudia counter to get the boarding pass, a staff member told us that they have received an order preventing us from traveling.”

She said they were shocked to hear that, adding that the Saudia official did not give them any reason for preventing them from traveling to the US. Lama and Rubi then contacted the Saudi Embassy in Washington, who advised them to contact the US Embassy in Riyadh.

“We contacted the US Embassy through the emergency telephone line. An embassy official said they had not received any information regarding the travel ban and that our visa was OK,” Lama said.

The Saudia official told embassy staff that Lama and Rubi have been totally banned from traveling to the US as per the order they have received from authorities. The Saudia staff received the order from Saudi security through a WhatsApp message.

The US official then asked the two girls to visit the embassy for more information about the incident. The embassy later told them that the CIA had canceled their visas.