Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan

Extra Bio Info:

Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan is imprisoned for his public satire criticizing conservative religious establishments and figures. 

On March 12, 2018, security agents from the Presidency of State Security reportedly arrested Al-Sadhan, a humanitarian aid worker, from his workplace at the Red Crescent Society in Riyadh. Authorities accused Al-Sadhan of running two anonymous Twitter accounts known for mocking and being critical of public officials, religious establishments, the connection between religion and politics, and other social and economic issues facing the country. One of the accounts assumed the persona of an online, conservative religious cleric, inspired by a character from a famous Saudi comedy show. Al-Sadhan was held incommunicado for two years before being allowed to make a one-minute phone call to his family. Following that call, he was held incommunicado for another year. He is currently being held incommunicado.

On April 5, 2021, the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in a closed-door trial sentenced Al-Sadhan to 20 years in prison followed by a 20-year travel ban on charges related to his peaceful online activism and expression. Charges included “preparing, storing and sending material prejudicial to public order and religious values." Al-Sadhan was denied proper due process and adequate legal counsel.

On October 5, 2021, an appeals court upheld Al-Sadhan’s sentence.

In September 2022, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared Al-Sadhan's detention arbitrary and called for his immediate release. 

Al-Sadhan has reportedly been subjected to severe torture and prolonged periods of solitary confinement.

Al-Sadhan is a former U.S. resident. His mother and sister are both U.S. citizens.