In a recent development, Human Rights Watch announced on Tuesday that a Saudi Arabian court has sentenced Asaad al-Ghamdi, a 47-year-old Saudi teacher, to 20 years in prison. The conviction pertains to charges linked to his social media activities. Asaad al-Ghamdi is notably the brother of Saeed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, a vocal government critic residing in the United Kingdom. This instance underscores the reported tactic of the Saudi authorities to exert pressure on overseas dissidents by targeting their family members. Detailed information is available in the Human Rights Watch report.
According to Human Rights Watch, the charges against Asaad al-Ghamdi stem from his “peaceful expression online,” as adjudicated by Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court. The charges fall under Articles 30, 34, 43, and 44 of Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism law, encompassing offenses such as publishing false and malicious news and challenging the religion of the King and the Crown Prince. The arrest occurred on November 20, 2022, in Jeddah, but al-Ghamdi was not informed of the charges until his first trial on September 7, 2023.
Evidence against al-Ghamdi reportedly included his posts on X (formerly known as Twitter). These posts criticized Saudi governmental changes and projects associated with the Vision 2030 reform program. They also paid tribute to Dr. Abdallah al-Hamed, a human rights leader who died in prison. The full details can be found in the counterterrorism law documentation.
The treatment of Asaad al-Ghamdi during his detention raises further concerns. Despite suffering from epilepsy, requiring specialized medical care, he was only attended by a general physician. Additionally, he faced solitary confinement for three months and a two-month communication ban. His court-appointed lawyer did not provide adequate legal support, failing to meet him outside court sessions or submit necessary medical evidence. The first family visitation occurred on January 11, 2023.
This pattern follows previous crackdowns on social media dissent. In a similarly concerning instance, another brother, Mohammad Al Ghamdi, was sentenced to death for his social media activities. UN experts have formally appealed for the revocation of this sentence. More on the UN experts’ appeal is covered here.
Amnesty International and other rights organizations have increasingly pointed out the Saudi authorities’ actions to curtail freedom of expression. These actions include arbitrary detentions, lengthy trials, and disproportionate sentences for peaceful online activities. Reports from Amnesty International provide deeper insights into these ongoing human rights issues, with further examples available here.
The broader implications of these actions underscore the ongoing struggle for human rights and legal reforms within Saudi Arabia. It calls for continued scrutiny and intervention by the international community to push for justice and freedom of expression in the region.