Extra Bio Info:

Ali al-Omari is detained his role as a prominent religious figure.

On September 9, 2017, authorities arrested al-Omari, an Islamic scholar, talk-show personality, and the chairman of TV channel 4Shbab, amid a wave of arrests targeting prominent religious figures, journalists, activists, and academics.  Al-Omari's television channel was known to promote moderate religious values and discuss other religious, social and political issues.

MENA Rights Group reports that al-Omari was subjected to 15 months of solitary confinement after his arrest.  It also says that he was denied access to legal counsel for the first year of his detention and that he was tortured in order elicit a confession.

In September 2018, al-Omari's trial began before the Specialized Criminal Court.  He was reportedly charged with 30 criminal offenses, including "forming a terrorist youth organization." At the time, prosecutors were reportedly seeking the death penalty.

Extra Bio Info:

Murtaja Qureiris was imprisoned for his religious identity and for protesting religious discrimination.

On September 20, 2014, authorities arrested Qureiris, who was 13 years old at the time, for participating in 2011 protests against Shi'a discrimination in the Eastern Province. He was 10 years old at the time of the protests. Following his arrest, he was reportedly held in solitary confinement for a month. He was also reportedly subjected to torture and forced to sign a confession.  He was also denied access to a lawyer or his parents as legal guardians. 

In January 2017, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released an opinion about the detention of an unnamed Saudi minor - later revealed to be Qureiris - and called for his release. 

In September 2018, after being held four years without facing trial, Qureiris appeared before the Specialized Criminal Court. He was charged with allegedly participating in anti-government protests, joining a terrorist organization, throwing Molotov cocktails at a police station, and opening fire on security forces under provisions of Royal Decree No. 44, the Law on Firearms and Ammunitions, and Royal Decree No. 38 on explosive materials. Prosecutors had been reportedly pushing for the death penalty.

On June 16, 2019, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced Qureiris to 12 years in prison. 

On February 12, 2020, the Specialized Criminal Court reduced his sentence to eight years in prison.

On May 11, 2020, seven UN special rapporteurs sent a letter to the Saudi government, highlighting the unjust nature of Qureiris's detention. 

On June 24, 2022, Qureiris was released from prison.

Extra Bio Info:

Elshan Mustafaoglu was imprisoned for his religious expression and activism.

On December 17, 2014, authorities arrested Mustafaoglu, a Muslim scholar and former department head at the Caucasian Muslim Board, and charged with treason (Art. 274 ACC) after accusing him of spying for Iran.  Mustafaoglu was reportedly targeted for encouraging approaches to Islam outside the state's control.  Mustafaoglu was a co-founder of the Initiative Group for the Support of the Human Rights of Religious Citizens and the founder of the Appeal to Moral Purity organization.

Mustafaoglu alleged at trial that he had been tortured during the investigation.

On December 30, 2016, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Mustafaoglu to 10 years in prison following a closed trial.

On June 23, 2022, Mustafaoglu was released from prison after his sentence was commuted.