The government is offering assistance to a pair of brothers imprisoned after being accused of murder in Saudi Arabia, officials with the Department of Foreign Affairs say.

"Consular officials of the Canadian Embassy in Riyadh are following this case by maintaining contact with local authorities," who are visiting the two men, Foreign Affairs spokesman Rodney Moore told the Canadian Press on Wednesday.

The brothers, who once lived in Montreal — Mohamed Kohail, 22, and Sultan Kohail, 16 — are being held in a Jeddah prison in connection with the death of Munzer Haraki.

Haraki died in a fight that broke out when Mohamed defended Sultan during a dispute that pitted students of Palestinian origin against Syrian-born classmates.

Liberal consular services critic Dan McTeague said he has asked Foreign Affairs Minister Peter McKay to verify the men's state of health, given reports that Sultan has suffered a broken leg while in custody.

"While Saudi Arabia repeatedly states that they are vehemently against the torture of accused individuals, allegations have been made of abuse and coercion," McKay said. "Our officials should therefore request an immediate medical examination of Sultan and Mohamed Kohail."

Foreign Affairs officials said Saudi authorities are investigating the allegations.

In an interview from prison with the Globe and Mail, Mohamed Kohail said he and his brother were beaten until they confessed, and now they fear execution.

Brothers lived in Montreal

The brothers, both Canadian citizens of Palestinian extraction, lived in Montreal for five years before moving back to Saudi Arabia, where they were born and raised, to be closer to an ill relative.

A Montreal teacher who knew Mohamed Kohail said school staff were shocked and distraught at the news that their former charge is now in prison.

The report "doesn't really match anything that we know about Mohamed," guidance counsellor Barry Gaiptman said.

"We had never seen any indication of an aggressive side," said Gaiptman, who works at Place Cartier Adult Education Centre in Beaconsfield, where Mohamed attended class.

"On the contrary, I found him to be polite and a straight-up guy."

With files from the Canadian Press