Eight Years Behind Bars for a Tweet of Peace: The Case of Youssef Al-Mulhim Exposes the Absence of Freedom of Expression in Saudi Arabia

Together for Justice expresses its deep concern over the continued detention of prominent Saudi businessman and well-known Twitter user Youssef Al-Mulhim, who has been imprisoned in Saudi jails since his arrest in September 2017 over a tweet in which he called for reconciliation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar.

The tweet, posted on 9 September 2017 following a phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, was merely an expression of hope for easing tensions between the neighbouring countries. In it, Al-Mulhim wrote: “A good initiative, and God willing matters will be resolved in a way that guarantees the interests, security, and stability of the states.”

Arresting Youssef Al-Mulhim over a tweet that carried a genuine call for goodwill and peace between Gulf states reflects a dangerous deterioration in the level of freedom of expression in the Kingdom. Saudi authorities interpreted the tweet—which expressed a sincere desire to end disputes—as “communicating with external parties to incite sedition,” a fabricated charge aimed at justifying his arrest and silencing him.

From the moment of his arrest, Al-Mulhim was denied any genuine opportunity to legally defend himself. He was referred to a secret trial in October 2018 that fell far short of minimum fair trial standards. The court issued an unjust prison sentence against him without granting him his legal rights or ensuring a fair judicial process.

Known for his high morals and clean record in the fields of business and media, Youssef Al-Mulhim has never posed a threat to the regime or society. On the contrary, he has been a supporter of stability and unity among Gulf states. Nevertheless, he became a victim of a sweeping crackdown targeting advocates of reform and reconciliation—a crackdown that starkly contradicts the Kingdom’s publicly declared policies, particularly its professed desire for reconciliation with Qatar during the Al-Ula Summit in January 2021.

The continued detention of Youssef Al-Mulhim and other prisoners who have called for reconciliation and peace between GCC states exposes the deep contradictions in Saudi policy, which proclaims unity while imprisoning those who voice the same aspiration. This hypocrisy raises serious questions about the Kingdom’s intentions and its commitment to upholding freedom of expression and basic rights for its citizens.

Al-Mulhim’s family suffers daily from his absence as a father and breadwinner. His children remain without support while he languishes in arbitrary detention. The pain his family endures is a stark reflection of the Saudi authorities’ policy of repression against prisoners of conscience—policies that not only violate the rights of the detainees but also devastate the lives of their families.

Together for Justice renews its call on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Youssef Al-Mulhim and all prisoners of conscience in the Kingdom. We affirm that the continuation of such arbitrary detentions constitutes a flagrant violation of international standards guaranteeing individuals the right to express their opinions freely and without fear of persecution.

We call on the international community, including the United Nations and international human rights organisations, to urgently intervene and exert genuine pressure on Saudi authorities to halt these ongoing violations against freedom of expression. The continued detention of Youssef Al-Mulhim and others is a stain on the Kingdom’s human rights record and poses a serious threat to its international credibility.

The case of Youssef Al-Mulhim is a clear example of how the Saudi judiciary is used as a tool to suppress free voices and punish those who dare to speak their minds. At Together for Justice, we assert that his detention is not only a violation of human rights but also an assault on the values of justice and humanity.

We reiterate our demand for the immediate release of Youssef Al-Mulhim and a review of all sentences handed down against prisoners of conscience. We urge the Saudi authorities to comply with international and domestic laws that guarantee freedom of expression and the basic rights of all citizens and residents, and to end the use of fabricated charges to justify arbitrary arrests. Freedom of expression is not a crime, and calling for peace and reconciliation is not a threat—it is a fundamental right that every human being should enjoy. The Saudi authorities must recognise that continuing such repressive practices will only lead to further international isolation and domestic unrest, and that the path to genuine stability begins with respect for human rights and the release of all prisoners of conscience.