Saudi detainee without a lawyer: family THE Perth-based family of a man imprisoned in Saudi Arabia on terrorism-related charges hold grave fears for him as he potentially faces court without a lawyer. Shayden Thorne, 25, has been in prison outside the capital Riyadh for more than a year after terrorist material was found on a laptop he says he borrowed from a mosque. His supporters say he confessed under duress and worry he may be sentenced at his next court appearance in Jeddah later on Wednesday. Shayden and his younger brother Junaid, 23, who is being sought by Saudi authorities, are the sons of a Muslim, Aboriginal man. When their parents separated, their mother married a Moroccan man in 1996, and they moved to Saudi Arabia. The mother, who has since returned to Perth, and aunt Stephanie Riley, are relieved a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) representative will attend the court appearance. But they are dismayed not to have heard from the men's lawyer Abdul Jalil al-Khaldi since Sunday and fear he will not be present. "We haven't received a text reply - no contact from him," Ms Riley told AAP. There had been a negative development, she said, and did not want to reveal the details other than to say things started to go sour after a recent meeting with a Saudi prince that was aimed at helping Shayden and Junaid. "We are concerned he (Shayden) won't have a lawyer present," Ms Riley said. With regards to that initial meeting with the prince, from that, things have gone a little bit sour for the boys because now they can't seem to have contact with their lawyer. It's not looking good for Junaid in his situation nor is it for Shayden. Junaid called his Perth family on Wednesday morning and said he was trying to secure an alternative lawyer, Ms Riley said. He was still waiting to hear back from local authorities, who had said at a meeting with the Australian embassy in Saudi Arabia over the weekend that they would tell him by Monday why he was wanted for questioning. Junaid, whose passport has been confiscated, was previously incarcerated for two months for protesting against his brother's imprisonment and feared facing local authorities without knowing what they wanted him for. A DFAT spokeswoman said consular officials continued to provide assistance to Shayden, including attending his court hearings as an observer.