July 9, 2024
A Saudi court has sentenced Asaad al-Ghamdi, a 47-year-old teacher, to 20 years in prison solely for his peaceful social media activity. Human Rights Watch highlights this case as part of Saudi Arabia’s escalating crackdown on freedom of expression and transnational repression.
On May 29, 2024, the Specialized Criminal Court, Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism tribunal, convicted al-Ghamdi of multiple offenses related to his online expression. This conviction follows the July 2023 death sentence of his brother, Mohammed al-Ghamdi, for similar charges based on his social media activity. Their third brother, Saeed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, is a prominent Saudi critic living in exile in the UK, highlighting a pattern of retaliation against family members of dissidents.
Facts and Figures:
- Arrest: Asaad al-Ghamdi was arrested on November 20, 2022, during a nighttime raid in Jeddah.
- Detention: Held in solitary confinement for three months and incommunicado for nearly two months.
- Charges: Convicted under Articles 30, 34, 43, and 44 of Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism law.
Response and Actions:
The court sessions, starting in September 2023, were marked by limited legal support. The appointed lawyer failed to provide critical case documents or meet with al-Ghamdi outside court. Human Rights Watch called for urgent medical care for both Asaad and his brother Mohammed.
Quotes:
“Saudi courts mete out decades-long sentences to ordinary citizens for nothing more than peacefully expressing themselves online,” said Joey Shea, Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The government should also stop punishing family members of critics living abroad.”
Legal and International Perspective:
Saudi Arabia’s criminal justice system has faced repeated criticism for systemic abuses, including prolonged detention without trial and reliance on torture-tainted confessions. These practices starkly contrast with international human rights standards.
Conclusion:
The severe sentence handed to Asaad al-Ghamdi underscores Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to silence dissent. International condemnation and pressure are essential to demand the release of these prisoners and an end to repressive practices.
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