Saudi Activist Hilal Al-Qurashi: Facing a 20-Year Sentence for Baseless Charges and Medical Neglect
Hilal Hussain Al-Qurashi, a Saudi economist and reformist, has been detained since April 2020 as part of a sweeping crackdown targeting activists, journalists, and reform advocates in Saudi Arabia. Recently sentenced to 20 years in prison, Al-Qurashi is accused of traveling to Qatar and Turkey, marrying a foreign national without government approval, storing “prohibited” content on his phone, and alleged affiliation with a banned group. These charges are baseless and lack any substantive legal foundation. Despite the absence of evidence demonstrating any threat he posed to national security or public order, Al-Qurashi has become another victim of a judicial system weaponized to silence dissent and stifle reformist voices.
Following his arrest, Al-Qurashi endured over two years of pre-trial detention before the Saudi Specialized Criminal Court sentenced him to four years in prison. However, upon appeal, this sentence was arbitrarily increased to 20 years without any clear or justified legal reasoning. Reports suggest that his “crime” primarily involved personal decisions—traveling to countries with amicable relations with Saudi Arabia and private life choices—that were exaggerated into criminal offenses.
Far from being a threat to society, Al-Qurashi is a respected economist who contributed significantly to Saudi Arabia’s development goals. He launched the non-profit initiative “The Third Bank,” aimed at empowering the non-profit sector and integrating it into the national economy as part of Vision 2030. His initiative sought to enhance community engagement and foster sustainable development, aligning with the Saudi government’s stated objectives. Yet, the authorities viewed his reformist ambitions as a challenge to their monopoly on decision-making, leading to his unjust imprisonment.
Since his detention, Al-Qurashi has been held in Riyadh’s Al-Ha’ir Prison, where he has faced appalling conditions and severe medical neglect. Reports confirm that he has lost vision in his right eye and partial vision in his left, in addition to developing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. Despite repeated requests from his family for medical intervention or his transfer to a specialized hospital, the authorities have consistently denied him proper care. They have also rejected his family’s offer to bear the costs of treatment, underscoring their blatant disregard for his well-being.
Al-Qurashi’s case is emblematic of the broader pattern of Saudi authorities targeting reformers and intellectuals who propose initiatives or express ideas independent of state control. His detention and subsequent harsh sentencing reveal the repressive nature of a regime intolerant of dissent, even when it aligns with its publicly declared goals of modernization and development.
We hold the Saudi authorities and Al-Ha’ir Prison administration fully responsible for the health and safety of Hilal Hussain Al-Qurashi. The denial of medical care and the inhumane conditions of his detention constitute clear violations of international human rights standards. Any harm that befalls him is a direct result of these policies, and those responsible must face accountability.
We call on the international community to act decisively to pressure Saudi Arabia into releasing Hilal Al-Qurashi and all prisoners of conscience. Furthermore, we urge the relevant United Nations bodies to conduct independent investigations into the conditions of detention facilities in Saudi Arabia and to ensure compliance with international standards.
Hilal Al-Qurashi’s case is a stark reminder of the price paid by those advocating for reform in Saudi Arabia. His continued detention is an affront to justice and human dignity. It is time for the world to stand against these violations and demand the release of all individuals detained for exercising their basic rights to freedom of thought and expression.
