From Death to Life Imprisonment: Saudi Justice ‘Kindly’ Extends Mohammad Al-Ghamdi’s Suffering

In an ironic twist of Saudi justice, the authorities have decided to revoke the death sentence issued against Mohammad Al-Ghamdi, a 56-year-old teacher, only to replace it with a 30-year prison sentence. The change in punishment begs the question: what difference does it make when the goal is to prolong suffering? While Al-Ghamdi may not face immediate execution, he now faces a life behind bars, essentially sentencing him to decades of torment for merely expressing his opinions on social media.

A Life Sentence for Tweets: The Background

The story of Mohammad Al-Ghamdi’s persecution began in the summer of 2022, when he was arrested from his home in Abha, Saudi Arabia. His “crime”? Posting tweets critical of the government, defending detained individuals, and calling for justice. The catch here is that Al-Ghamdi’s Twitter accounts had a following of just 10 people. In a country where dissent is silenced by any means necessary, this modest reach was enough to attract the full force of Saudi repression.

In July 2023, Al-Ghamdi was sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court under Saudi Arabia’s draconian anti-terrorism law, a catch-all legislation used to punish critics of the government. His trial, like many others, was held in secret, with no access to legal representation and no opportunity to review the charges leveled against him. The charges themselves were laughably vague, accusing him of “tearing the social fabric” of Saudi society by merely posting tweets.

A ‘Generous’ Reduction to Life Imprisonment

Fast forward to August 2024, and Saudi authorities made a so-called “merciful” decision to overturn the death sentence. Instead, Al-Ghamdi was sentenced to 30 years in prison, a decision that, while sparing his life, condemned him to a life of suffering behind bars. For a man already in his mid-50s and suffering from multiple neurological conditions, this is effectively a death sentence by another name.

Medical Neglect and Humanitarian Concerns

Before his arrest, Al-Ghamdi suffered from four documented neurological disorders, as confirmed by official medical reports. Despite his urgent need for specialist care, Saudi authorities have refused repeated requests by his family to provide medical treatment. His health has deteriorated significantly during his imprisonment, particularly after suffering a severe seizure that caused him to collapse and break several of his teeth. Despite this, he has been denied any meaningful medical attention, exacerbating his suffering.

MBS’s Hollow Words: The Crown Prince’s Lip Service to Justice

Adding an extra layer of irony to the situation, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) personally commented on Al-Ghamdi’s case during a Fox News interview in 2023. When asked about the death sentence, MBS said he felt “shame” and was “not happy” about the harsh punishment. He then quickly distanced himself from any responsibility, claiming that the judiciary is independent and that even he couldn’t interfere in the process. “Do we have bad laws? Yes. Are we working on changing them? Yes,” he added, in a weak attempt to justify the country’s brutal legal system.

What MBS failed to mention was that the anti-terrorism law, under which Al-Ghamdi was sentenced, was introduced under his own rule in 2017. So, while he might express concern about the harshness of the legal system, it’s a system he actively crafted and implemented. His statements on legal reform ring hollow when critics like Al-Ghamdi are still languishing in prisons under his laws.

A Case of Collective Punishment

Mohammad Al-Ghamdi’s harsh treatment appears to be part of a larger pattern of collective punishment against dissidents and their families. His brother, Saeed Al-Ghamdi, is a well-known Saudi dissident living in exile. Saeed has openly accused the Saudi regime of targeting his brother as a form of retaliation against his own political activities. This isn’t the first time Saudi authorities have used family members as leverage in their quest to silence critics. The practice of targeting relatives of dissidents is a hallmark of the regime’s heavy-handed approach to dissent.

A Call for Action

The case of Mohammad Al-Ghamdi is not unique. Saudi Arabia has a long history of silencing dissent through extreme measures, from executions to life sentences, and from secret trials to systematic medical neglect. Together for Justice stands in full solidarity with Al-Ghamdi and his family. We call on the Saudi authorities to immediately release him and all other prisoners of conscience. Furthermore, we urge the international community to take decisive action to hold the Saudi regime accountable for its ongoing human rights violations.

The imprisonment of Mohammad Al-Ghamdi is a grim reminder that, in Saudi Arabia, even a modest act like tweeting can be met with brutal consequences. While the death sentence may have been revoked, the cruel irony remains: a life sentence in a Saudi prison is simply a longer road to suffering.

The world must not remain silent. We renew our calls for freedom, justice, and accountability for Mohammad Al-Ghamdi and all those who have been unjustly imprisoned.