Over Two and a Half Years Since the Disappearance of Reformist Academic Muhammad Matar Al-Sahli
It has now been approximately 33 months since the arrest and enforced disappearance of reformist academic Muhammad Matar Al-Sahli Al-Harbi. The legal status of Dr. Muhammad Al-Sahli remains unknown, and his case has not been adjudicated, nor has his family been informed of any official charges against him. He has been deprived of the right to meet with his family and has been unable to appoint a lawyer, a situation common to many prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Muhammad was arrested in October 2021 when Saudi security forces raided his home without judicial permission. They assaulted him, brutally arrested him, and took him to an undisclosed location, placing chains and restraints on his hands and feet.
According to private sources, the arrest was prompted by a series of tweets he posted on social media, calling for societal reform and the establishment of democratic principles in dealing with citizens.
Dr. Muhammad Al-Sahli Al-Harbi is a professor at the College of Sharia at Umm Al-Qura University and a prominent social media activist with thousands of followers. He also conducted Sharia lessons in the Grand Mosque in Mecca before his arrest and enforced disappearance.
The working group on arbitrary detention must urgently intervene to pressure the Saudi regime for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Muhammad Matar Al-Sahli Al-Harbi and all prisoners of conscience detained without clear charges. Together for Justice also calls on various international bodies to form urgent committees and travel to the Kingdom to ensure all detainees receive their rights.
Together for Justice urges international systems to uphold their moral duty towards human rights and adhere to the treaties and covenants they have signed. Cooperation with the Saudi regime should be conditional on improving the human rights situation in the country and allowing citizens to exercise their legitimate rights to free expression and assembly.
Together for Justice affirms that the continued detention of the Saudi academic Muhammad Matar Al-Sahli Al-Harbi without trial exacerbates the gravity of the crime committed against him by the Saudi authorities, which began with his arbitrary arrest for expressing his opinion.
