The case of ten Egyptian expatriates detained in Saudi Arabia serves as a stark example of the kingdom’s crackdown on free expression and assembly. These Egyptian nationals, residents of Riyadh, were arrested for organizing a cultural gathering to commemorate Egypt’s victory in the October 1973 War against Israeli forces. What should have been an event of cultural pride was instead labeled by Saudi authorities as a threat to national security, leading to prolonged detentions, enforced disappearances, and harsh prison sentences.
The saga began in October 2019 when these Egyptians gathered at the Nubian Society in Riyadh to honor the 1973 victory. They were initially detained, then released under strict travel bans. However, in July 2020, Saudi authorities reopened the case, re-arresting them under accusations of “forming an unlicensed association.” The men were subjected to enforced disappearance for over two months, denied communication with their families, and cut off from legal representation. They remained in detention without trial, subjected to conditions that denied them their basic rights and deprived them of any meaningful legal defense.
After more than a year of arbitrary detention, these men were finally allowed a brief meeting with their lawyers, but under conditions that rendered their defense largely symbolic. The Egyptian embassy, which should have been their advocate, issued a statement supporting the Saudi government’s actions and refused to intervene on their behalf.
In October 2022, the Saudi courts handed down prison sentences ranging from 10 to 18 years for the ten detainees, including three men over the age of 60, whose prolonged imprisonment poses a serious threat to their health. The detainees, all Egyptian citizens from Nubian villages, include Adel Sayed Ibrahim Fakir, Faragallah Ahmed Youssef, Gamal Abdullah Masri, Mohamed Fathallah Gomaa, Hashem Shater, Ali Gomaa Ali Baher, Saleh Gomaa Ahmed, Abdel Salam Gomaa Ali, Abdullah Gomaa Ali Baher, and Wael Ahmed Hassan.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to criminalize the commemoration of Egypt’s historic victory raises profound concerns about its increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. This case is one among many that underscore Saudi Arabia’s determination to suppress public expressions that fall outside state control. The judgment also points to Saudi Arabia’s political alignment with Israel, as the regime appears to have labeled the celebration of a historic victory over Israel as a crime.
These sentences send a clear message: dissenting or unapproved expressions, even cultural gatherings, will be met with severe punishment in Saudi Arabia. By sentencing these men to a lifetime of restriction, Saudi authorities have once again proven their commitment to silencing voices that dare to celebrate national or cultural histories that do not align with the kingdom’s political agenda.
Together for Justice condemns these unjust sentences and calls for the immediate release of these Egyptian detainees. We urge the international community to demand accountability for Saudi Arabia’s continued violation of basic human rights, ensuring that people everywhere can freely celebrate their heritage without fear of persecution.