Report: The Ongoing Injustice Against Saudi Academic and Activist Dr. Saud Al-Hashimi
For nearly two decades, Saudi academic and family medicine professor, Dr. Saud Al-Hashimi, has been imprisoned for his peaceful activism, including his attempts to form a political party advocating for constitutional democracy in Saudi Arabia. Arrested in 2007 and sentenced to 30 years in prison, followed by a 30-year travel ban and a fine of 2 million SAR, Dr. Al-Hashimi remains a symbol of the Saudi regime’s harsh crackdown on dissent.
Background: The Case of the “Rest House Cell”
Dr. Al-Hashimi was arrested on February 2, 2007, along with eight other scholars, lawyers, and thinkers during a meeting in Jeddah to discuss political reform. The group intended to draft a reform document to present to the king. Instead, they were forcibly taken to an unknown location—later revealed to be the General Investigation Department in Jeddah—where they were subjected to brutal torture to coerce confessions to fabricated charges of financing and supporting terrorism.
In 2010, seven additional individuals were arrested and added to the case, infamously known as the “Rest House Cell.” None of the detainees were presented with formal charges or brought before a prosecutor for over three years. They were denied the right to legal representation and held in prolonged arbitrary detention.
Systematic Torture and Inhumane Conditions
Dr. Al-Hashimi endured severe physical and psychological abuse in detention. For over two years, he was denied contact with his family, only granted monthly visits under harsh security measures. He reported being stripped of his clothes, beaten, and forced to sign documents relinquishing his right to a lawyer. Held in solitary confinement in a cell measuring 1m x 2m, Dr. Al-Hashimi was shackled at all times and allowed minimal access to basic facilities, often under degrading conditions.
Despite these hardships, his pleas for medical care, including treatment for heart conditions and panic attacks, were ignored. Instead, he was offered medical attention only if he agreed to undergo interrogations without legal representation, a condition he refused.
Unjust Trials and Politicized Sentencing
In November 2011, after years of detention, the security court in Riyadh sentenced Dr. Al-Hashimi and his co-defendants to lengthy prison terms, including life sentences. The charges, such as attempting to overthrow the government, financing terrorism, and money laundering, were widely criticized by human rights groups as baseless. Lawyers described the trials as politically motivated, lacking basic standards of justice, with secret hearings and restrictions on access to case documents.
The detainees were often brought to court blindfolded and shackled, further undermining their ability to mount a defense. Legal complaints about procedural violations went unanswered by Saudi authorities, highlighting a complete disregard for fair trial standards.
Deteriorating Health and Continued Abuse
Throughout his detention, Dr. Al-Hashimi has suffered from debilitating health conditions, including strokes that temporarily left him immobile. Despite his deteriorating health, he was denied proper medical care, worsening his chronic illnesses. Reports indicate that he was frequently moved to freezing solitary cells during winter without blankets or warm clothing, compounding his suffering.
Call for Action
The ongoing imprisonment and mistreatment of Dr. Saud Al-Hashimi represent a grave violation of his fundamental rights. His case highlights the broader repression of political dissent in Saudi Arabia, where activists, scholars, and reformists are routinely silenced through arbitrary detention, torture, and unfair trials.
Together for Justice calls on international policymakers to urgently intervene to secure the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Saud Al-Hashimi. His continued detention poses a direct threat to his life due to systemic neglect and abuse. We also urge human rights defenders worldwide to amplify his story and advocate for justice.
Take Action Now:
Share his story with the hashtag #SaveSaudAlHashimi.
Pressure international organizations to hold Saudi authorities accountable.
Demand the release of Dr. Al-Hashimi and all political prisoners in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Al-Hashimi’s resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering is a testament to his commitment to justice and reform. It is our collective responsibility to ensure his voice is not silenced.
