18 Years of Injustice: Saudi Authorities Continue to Detain Dr. Saud Al-Hashemi

This week marks 18 years since the arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of Saudi academic Dr. Saud Al-Hashemi, a respected Family Medicine professor at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. His crime? Calling for democratic reform and advocating for a constitutional monarchy in Saudi Arabia. For this, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, followed by a 30-year travel ban, and a 2 million riyal fine—a ruthless punishment aimed at crushing any hope for political change.
Dr. Al-Hashemi was arrested on Friday, February 2, 2007, alongside eight other scholars, academics, and lawyers, in what became known as the “Rest House Cell” case. They were gathering in a private rest house in Jeddah to discuss political reform and draft a petition to submit to the King. However, instead of engaging in dialogue, the Saudi authorities responded with brutal suppression, detaining them in secret locations, subjecting them to torture and inhumane treatment, and keeping them in solitary confinement for years.
For the first three and a half years, Dr. Al-Hashemi and his co-detainees were denied access to legal representation, completely cut off from the outside world. He was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse, held in a tiny 1m x 2m solitary cell, constantly shackled and blindfolded, and deprived of basic necessities. For over two years, he was denied family visits and only permitted one visit per month thereafter, under extreme security restrictions.
In November 2011, after an unfair trial that lacked any semblance of due process, Dr. Al-Hashemi was sentenced to 30 years in prison on fabricated charges, including “attempting to overthrow the government,” “funding terrorism,” and “inciting against the regime.” These accusations were baseless and politically motivated, designed solely to silence dissent. His trial was marked by secrecy, denial of legal defense, and extreme procedural violations, with detainees being blindfolded and handcuffed during court sessions.
Throughout his detention, Dr. Al-Hashemi endured horrific conditions. He was frequently deprived of food, denied medical treatment, and kept in prolonged solitary confinement. The mistreatment resulted in multiple strokes, leaving him partially paralyzed at times, yet he was denied urgent medical care. Despite suffering from chronic illnesses and the effects of old age, the Saudi authorities continue to deny him proper medical attention, violating international laws against cruel and inhumane treatment.
According to inside sources, prison authorities at Dhahban Prison in Jeddah have subjected Dr. Al-Hashemi to additional punishment, moving him to freezing cold cells during winter without blankets or warm clothing, after physically abusing and humiliating him. These deliberate acts of cruelty highlight the Saudi government’s systematic use of torture against political prisoners.
Eighteen years have passed, yet Dr. Saud Al-Hashemi remains a prisoner of conscience, locked away for advocating for peaceful reform. Meanwhile, the Saudi government continues to market itself as a reformist state, hiding behind PR campaigns while silencing intellectuals, crushing opposition, and suppressing free speech.
Together for Justice calls on world leaders, human rights organizations, and the international community to take urgent action to secure the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Saud Al-Hashemi and all political prisoners in Saudi Arabia. His continued detention is not just a legal violation—it is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate international intervention. The silence surrounding Dr. Al-Hashemi’s suffering must end. His imprisonment is a symbol of the broader repression in Saudi Arabia, and his freedom is long overdue. 18 years of injustice cannot be ignored—justice for Saud Al-Hashemi is a moral and legal obligation.