New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- The family of South Sudanese political commentator Samuel Peter Oyay, whose writings are often critical of the government, say they are concerned for his safety after his arrest over a month ago in the United Arab Emirates.

Oyay was taken from his home in Dubai days after publishing an article in the Netherlands-based media outlet Radio Tamazuj, a popular source of news and commentary on South Sudan.

Oyay's wife, Vivian Johnson, told The Associated Press that she has spoken to her husband only three times since she witnessed his arrest on Sept. 30. The last call on Oct. 25 lasted less than a minute, during which her husband did not disclose his whereabouts, she said.

The family fled South Sudan's civil war in 2013,...