Abdul Aziz Al-Tarifi: 8 years of arbitrary detention and complete denial of all human and legal rights
Last month marks eight years since the arbitrary detention of Preacher Abdulaziz Al-Tarifi in Saudi prisons. However, the authorities have not yet decided on his legal status and have been obstinate in hiding the official reasons for his arrest, while his family has not been allowed to communicate with him on a regular basis.
The 47-year-old Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Marzouq Al-Tarifi is a well-known preacher and cleric in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. With millions of admirers and followers due to his effortless style, his speech was marked by moderation.
He enrolled in and finished his studies at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. He subsequently held a position in the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, as a Sharia researcher.
Preacher Abdulaziz Al-Tarifi’s ordeal began in 2016 when he was summoned by security forces and arrested on April 23. This occurred ten days after his residence was determined. Since then, he has remained in detention without being brought before a judge to provide clarification on his legal status, as the authorities have not disclosed the true reason behind his arrest.
Sheikh Al-Tarifi was apprehended in 2016 after the Ministry of Islamic Affairs issued a directive to prohibit the distribution of his books and writings without a court order.
Although Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Tarifi’s speeches were purely religious, he was also a human rights advocate. He repeatedly tweeted his opposition to arbitrary arrests and the detention of individuals without a valid legal reason or a notable offense; in a 2013 tweet, he stated that the tragedy of arbitrary detention in prisons without cause is among the greatest injustices.
In addition, he stated that he personally disagreed with several of the regime’s contemporary Vision 2030 policies. However, the authorities saw this as an affront to higher authority, and as a result, he was arrested.
As for us, we at “Together for Justice” join the chorus of people demanding Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Tarifi’s release and the immediate commencement of an inquiry into every violation he endured, beginning with his unlawful arrest. We also ask that those responsible be held accountable.
We emphasize that Sheikh Al-Tarifi’s detention has been a double violation of his rights, which have been violated for over eight years. The international community must act quickly to put pressure on the Saudi authorities to examine the prisoners of conscience file and launch open, honest, and thorough investigations into all the violations that the detainees have endured.
