Saudi Arabia: A Graveyard for Brilliant Minds – The Continued Detention of Economist Dr. Essam Al-Zamel

Together for Justice renews its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Saudi economist Dr. Essam Al-Zamel, who has spent eight years in detention without a fair trial, solely for expressing independent economic opinions that challenged state policies. His continued imprisonment reflects the Saudi regime’s systematic campaign against intellectual freedom and its transformation into a graveyard for brilliant minds.

Dr. Al-Zamel, one of the kingdom’s most respected economists, was arrested in September 2017 during the mass crackdown that targeted scholars, academics, clerics, and reform advocates following Mohammed bin Salman’s rise to power as crown prince. His arrest came shortly after he had participated in an official delegation accompanying King Salman on a visit to the United States — a stark indication of how rapidly Saudi Arabia turns even loyal experts into “enemies of the state.”

The accusations against him, such as “threatening national unity” and “disrupting social cohesion,” are baseless and politically motivated. His only “crime” was fulfilling his role as an economist — questioning reckless public spending, warning against unregulated foreign investments, and advocating for policies that prioritize the welfare of Saudi citizens over image-driven projects.

For three years, Dr. Al-Zamel was held without trial, subjected to degrading conditions and prolonged solitary confinement. In 2020, the Specialized Criminal Court — notorious for handling political and expression-related cases — sentenced him to 15 years in prison following secret proceedings that lacked transparency, legal representation, and due process. His defense team was denied access to case files, and no credible evidence was presented during the hearings.

Throughout his detention, Dr. Al-Zamel has endured repeated violations, including physical and psychological abuse, denial of medical treatment, and extended isolation. Sources close to his family have reported that he has been frequently transferred between solitary cells and subjected to pressure to recant his views — treatment that clearly constitutes cruel and inhumane punishment under international law.

Ironically, the warnings Dr. Al-Zamel made before his arrest have since proven accurate. Recently, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund, admitted that the fund suffered major losses in a fraudulent legal scheme involving Credit Suisse — a scandal that cost the Saudi people billions of dollars. These failures reflect exactly what Al-Zamel had warned against: mismanagement of public resources, absence of transparency, and exclusion of qualified experts from national decision-making.

By imprisoning Al-Zamel, the Saudi regime not only silenced a voice of reason but also deprived the country of one of its most capable economic minds. His detention sends a clear message that in Saudi Arabia, competence is punished, and obedience is rewarded. The very act of critical thinking has become a liability.

Together for Justice affirms that the continued imprisonment of Dr. Essam Al-Zamel constitutes a gross violation of freedom of opinion and expression, as guaranteed under Articles 9 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. His case epitomizes the broader repression of intellectuals and experts who attempt to serve their nation through evidence-based critique and professional integrity.

Together for Justice calls for:

• The immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Essam Al-Zamel;
• An independent and transparent investigation into his trial and detention conditions;
• Accountability for officials responsible for the arbitrary use of the judiciary to suppress critical thought;
• International pressure on Saudi Arabia to end the criminalization of intellectual work and restore respect for academic freedom.

Saudi Arabia cannot claim to build a “vision for the future” while burying its brightest minds behind prison walls. The continued detention of Dr. Essam Al-Zamel is not only an assault on justice — it is a tragic symbol of a regime that fears knowledge more than failure.