Detained for a Tweet: Bandar Al-Jahdali Held for Nearly 6.5 Years Without Trial After Criticizing Unemployment
Saudi citizen Bandar Al-Jahdali remains in pretrial detention since his arrest in November 2019—nearly six and a half years—without being brought before a court or having his case adjudicated, in clear violation of fundamental legal safeguards.
According to available information, Al-Jahdali was arrested shortly after posting a tweet criticizing rising unemployment rates in Saudi Arabia and calling for his right to work. He was subsequently subjected to arbitrary detention and, as documented, to ill-treatment and torture, in addition to being denied access to legal counsel and the ability to review his case file.
The available facts indicate that Al-Jahdali continues to be held without trial to date, exceeding the legally permitted limits of pretrial detention under domestic law, and violating international standards that require prompt judicial review and guarantee the right to defense.
From a legal perspective, the continued detention of Al-Jahdali without formal charges or trial, and the denial of his right to legal representation, constitute arbitrary detention and violate the right to liberty and security of person, as well as fair trial guarantees under international human rights law.
Furthermore, his arrest on the basis of peaceful expression of opinion—including criticism of economic policies and demands for the right to employment—raises serious legal concerns regarding violations of freedom of expression, a fundamental right protected under international law.
This case reflects broader patterns involving the use of prolonged pretrial detention as a tool to restrict freedoms, in the absence of adequate legal safeguards, and in a manner inconsistent with international obligations.
Accordingly, Together for Justice calls for the immediate release of Bandar Al-Jahdali, the restoration of his legal rights, including the right to a fair trial or release, and an independent investigation into the violations he has been subjected to, with accountability for those responsible.
