Additional Name(s): علي حسن الفرج

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: June/29/2017

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Children’s Rights Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Terrorism

Ali Hassan al-Faraj

Extra Bio Info:

Ali Hassan al-Faraj is detained for his religious identity and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

On June 29, 2017, authorities in Medina arrested al-Faraj in relation to his participation in protests against the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens in al-Qatif. Al-Faraj was 21 years old at the time of his arrest and accused of crimes that he allegedly committed when he was a minor. Authorities charged al-Faraj with several crimes, including “seeking to destabilize the social fabric by participating in protests and funeral processions,” and “chanting slogans hostile to the regime.” At least one of the charges dates back to when al-Faraj was 17 years old.

Prosecutors were originally pushing for al-Faraj to be executed; however, in February 2021, it was reported that prosecutors were now seeking a 10-year prison sentence for al-Faraj. The Specialized Criminal Court is trying al-Faraj.

Related Cases: Ali Mohammed Al Bati, Ahmed Abdul Wahid al-Faraj, Mohammed Issam al-Faraj, Mohammed Hussein Al Nimr

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