Saudi Arabia has released US-Saudi citizen Saad Ibrahim Almadi, who had been imprisoned for over a year after being convicted over critical tweets about the government. Almadi, 72, was arrested in November 2021 when he arrived in Riyadh to visit his family. He was initially sentenced to 16 years in prison, with an appeals court later increasing the term to 19 years. The US and Saudi authorities have yet to comment on Almadi’s release.
Almadi’s tweets included criticism of the demolition of old parts of the cities of Mecca and Jeddah, concern over poverty in the kingdom, and a reference to the murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He was found guilty by a court of trying to destabilize the kingdom and of supporting and funding terrorism. Additionally, he was issued a 16-year travel ban. Almadi was also found guilty of not reporting terrorism over tweets that his son, Ibrahim, had posted on a separate account.
Almadi’s family confirmed his release, with his son Ibrahim stating that his father was at a family residence in Riyadh. However, it is unclear when he might return to his home in Florida. Almadi’s case had drawn condemnation from human rights groups and political figures, who had called for his release.
Saudi Arabia has come under international scrutiny for its treatment of human rights activists, journalists, and dissidents. The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, which was carried out by Saudi agents, sparked international outrage and condemnation. In recent years, the Saudi government has taken steps to improve its human rights record, including granting women the right to drive and relaxing some restrictions on personal freedoms.
Saudi Arabia has released US-Saudi citizen Saad Ibrahim Almadi, who had been imprisoned for over a year over critical tweets about the government. Almadi’s release comes after he was initially sentenced to 16 years in prison, with an appeals court later increasing the term to 19 years. His case had drawn condemnation from human rights groups and political figures, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s treatment of human rights activists, journalists, and dissidents.