One Year Since His Sentence Ended: Dr. Amer Al-Almaei Remains Unjustly Detained in Saudi Arabia
Together for Justice renews its call for the immediate release of Dr. Amer Al-Almaei and all prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia.
As of September 2024, Dr. Amer Al-Almaei, a Saudi physician and academic, remains imprisoned despite the fact that his sentence officially ended one year ago. Dr. Al-Almaei, a specialist in internal medicine and a prominent figure in his community for his humanitarian work, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in a politically motivated trial. His detention, which began in March 2019, was supposed to conclude in September 2023, but Saudi authorities have refused to release him or provide any information to his family regarding his status or location.
Unjust Detention and Procedural Violations
Dr. Al-Almaei was arrested from his home in Abha during a wave of arrests targeting intellectuals, reformists, and activists under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s crackdown on dissent. After his arrest, he was held incommunicado for several months, during which he was subjected to physical and psychological torture. He was later presented to the Specialized Criminal Court on charges he was not allowed to review beforehand, a clear violation of his right to a fair trial.
In September 2021, Dr. Al-Almaei was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison, but the sentence was later reduced to four and a half years. Despite this reduction, and despite the fact that his official sentence ended a year ago, he remains behind bars, deprived of his freedom without any legal justification. His trial, like those of many other prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia, was riddled with irregularities, including the denial of legal representation and the absence of credible evidence to support his conviction.
Harsh Conditions and Ongoing Suffering
Reports from inside Saudi prisons paint a grim picture of the conditions Dr. Al-Almaei and other prisoners face. He has been subjected to unsanitary conditions, poor treatment, and forced isolation, exacerbating his physical and psychological suffering. These conditions violate international standards for the treatment of prisoners and reflect a broader pattern of abuse against prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Al-Almaei, who was well-known for his work providing medical care to displaced people and low-income families in his region, now finds himself isolated from the world, denied his basic human rights. His family remains in the dark, with no updates on his health or whereabouts, adding to their anguish.
A Broader Pattern of Repression
Dr. Al-Almaei’s case is not unique. Saudi Arabia continues to detain countless intellectuals, activists, and reformists for their peaceful expression of dissent or their calls for reform. Many of these prisoners are held in similar conditions, subjected to secret trials, denied legal representation, and kept in prison long after their sentences have expired. The Saudi authorities use these repressive measures to silence any form of opposition and maintain tight control over the country’s social and political discourse.
Together for Justice Renews Its Call for Immediate Release
On the anniversary of the end of Dr. Amer Al-Almaei’s sentence, Together for Justice once again calls on the Saudi government to immediately and unconditionally release him. His continued detention is illegal, inhumane, and a violation of both Saudi law and international human rights standards. We also call for the release of all prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia who have been unjustly detained for expressing their opinions or advocating for reform.
The international community must step up its efforts to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its human rights violations. Continued silence only emboldens the regime to further suppress its citizens without fear of repercussions. We urge governments, human rights organizations, and the United Nations to intensify their pressure on Saudi authorities to release Dr. Al-Almaei and ensure that those responsible for his unlawful detention are held accountable.
The fight for justice, freedom, and the dignity of all prisoners of conscience continues. Dr. Amer Al-Almaei should not have to spend another day behind bars for crimes he did not commit.
Together for Justice remains committed to advocating for his immediate release and the release of all who are unjustly detained in Saudi Arabia.