Photo credit: www.bbc.com
Release of Saudi PhD Student Highlights Ongoing Crackdown on Dissent
A Saudi PhD candidate at the University of Leeds, Salma al-Shehab, has been released from prison in Saudi Arabia after her lengthy sentence related to social media activities was significantly reduced, as reported by various human rights activists.
Al-Shehab, 36, was apprehended in 2021 while visiting Saudi Arabia. Following her arrest, a terrorism tribunal sentenced her to six years in prison, citing charges of “disturbing public order” and “destabilising the social fabric” due to her online posts advocating for reforms and the liberation of fellow activists.
Her initial verdict was later escalated to a staggering 34-year sentence but underwent reductions upon appeal, first to 27 years, and finally to four years, with an additional four years suspended. Official confirmation regarding her release has yet to be issued by Saudi authorities.
The human rights organization ALQST, based in the UK, was among the first to report Al-Shehab’s release, asserting that she had endured “four years of arbitrary imprisonment based solely on her peaceful activism.” They further called for her complete freedom, emphasizing her right to travel and resume her studies at Leeds University.
Under the governance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has seen a significant clampdown on dissent over the past eight years. Numerous peaceful critics, particularly those utilizing social media to express their opinions, have faced extensive prison sentences, and some even the death penalty, following trials characterized by rights groups as unjust.
Al-Shehab, who works as a dental hygienist and medical educator, was nearing the completion of her degree at the University of Leeds’ School of Medicine when she was imprisoned. Prior to her trip to Saudi Arabia five years ago, she had shared numerous posts advocating for social reforms and calling for the release of well-known activists and clerics.
One notable post recognized a cohort of prominent women’s rights activists as “prisoners of conscience.” These activists were detained shortly before the lifting of the ban on women driving in 2018 and subsequently convicted of charges perceived as crimes against the state.
Dana Ahmed, a Middle East researcher for Amnesty International, remarked that Al-Shehab’s conviction stemmed from her support for women’s rights expressed through her tweets and retweets of fellow activists. “While today’s news of Salma’s release is a reason for celebration, it also serves as a moment to reflect on the many others in Saudi Arabia who continue to serve similarly harsh sentences for their online activities,” she stated.
Ahmed’s comments drew attention to other individuals imprisoned for advocating for women’s rights, such as Manahel al-Otaibi and Nourah al-Qahtani, as well as Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, who received a 20-year sentence for satire posted on social media.
The BBC has reached out to both the Saudi foreign ministry and the University of Leeds for further comment on this situation.
Source
www.bbc.com