Additional Name(s): Muhammad al-Ghamdi, محمد بن ناصر الغامدي

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Health Concerns: Mental Health Issues

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Death Sentence Appeal

Date of Detainment: June/11/2022

Date of Sentencing: July/10/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Insulting Public Officials & Institutions Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Terrorism

Mohammed al-Ghamdi

Extra Bio Info:

Mohammed al-Ghamdi is imprisoned for expressing support for religious prisoners of conscience.  

On June 11, 2022, security forces in Mecca arrested al-Ghamdi outside his home. He was subsequently placed him in solitary confinement for four months in al-Dhahban Prison near Jeddah and was prohibited from contacting his family and accessing a lawyer.  

On July 10, 2023, the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) sentenced al-Ghamdi to death for “describing the King or the Crown Prince in a way that undermines religion or justice" (Art. 30 Counterterrorism Law), "supporting a terrorist ideology" (Art. 34 Counterterrorism Law), “communication with a terrorist entity” (Art. 43 Counterterrorism Law), and publishing false news “with the intention of executing a terrorist crime” (Art. 44 Counterterrorism Law). According to his trial judgement, al-Ghamdi had been accused of criticizing the government and calling for the release of imprisoned religious prisoners of conscience such as Salman al-Ouda and Ali al-Omari on Twitter, despite having less than 10 followers. Al-Ghamdi's brother, Saeed al-Ghamdi, is a religious scholar and a well-known dissident who received asylum in the United Kingdom following Saudi Arabia's 2017 crackdown on scholars, intellectuals, and activists. Saeed al-Ghamdi is also head of the SANAD Rights Foundation, which documents human rights abuses, including against religious prisoners of conscience, in Saudi Arabia and has argued Mohammed al-Ghamdi's sentencing is an attempt to stop his work. Saed and Mohammed’s brother, Assad, is currently imprisoned on religiously-grounded charges.

On September 15, 2023, several UN experts called for al-Ghamdi's release.

In September 2024, it was reported that an appeal court had recently canceled the death sentence previously handed down by the SCC, but that his case would be sent to the SCC for review.

Al-Ghamdi's health has reportedly deteriorated since his arrest. Authorities have reportedly refused to give him some of his prescription medications meant to treat his mental health issues.

Related Cases: Salman al-Ouda, Ali al-Omari, Assad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi

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