Together for Justice Condemns Bulgaria’s Defiance of Court Orders and Demands Immediate Protection for Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi
Together for Justice strongly condemns the escalating violations faced by Saudi journalist and dissident Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi, who remains unlawfully detained in Bulgaria despite two final, non-appealable court rulings ordering his release. The organisation expresses grave concern over the Bulgarian authorities’ ongoing attempts to forcibly deport him to Saudi Arabia, where he faces a high risk of torture, enforced disappearance, or even death.
On March 26, 2025, the Sofia Administrative Court issued its second final ruling ordering Al-Khalidi’s immediate release from Busmantsi Detention Centre, following a similar judgment on January 18, 2024. However, instead of complying with the decision, authorities escalated their abuse. On March 28, officials from the Migration Directorate summoned him under the pretext of an internal transfer, claiming it was part of “deportation procedures.” No prior notice or written order in Arabic was provided. Al-Khalidi’s phone was confiscated, he was prevented from contacting his lawyer, and he was forced to sign documents under threats, without being given a copy of what he signed.
Authorities claim their actions are justified by vague “national security” concerns under Article 67(3) of the Asylum Law, yet no credible evidence has been presented. According to EU law (Directive 2013/33/EU), detention should only be used as a last resort—and clearly, this is not the case here.
Together for Justice stresses that these actions are not isolated incidents, but part of a sustained and targeted campaign of abuse against Al-Khalidi since his detention in October 2021. Despite overwhelming evidence of the threats he would face if returned to Saudi Arabia, Bulgarian authorities have persistently ignored his asylum claims, subjected him to inhumane conditions, and coordinated with Saudi officials to prepare his forced deportation.
On October 22, 2024, Sofia Administrative Court issued a shocking ruling approving Al-Khalidi’s extradition to Saudi Arabia, dismissing the danger he faces. The court cited absurd justifications, including that Saudi Arabia “is not at war,” “rules according to Sharia,” and is a country with a “democratic character,” citing the 2015 municipal elections as evidence. This reasoning blatantly ignores Saudi Arabia’s well-documented human rights abuses.
Al-Khalidi’s health has severely deteriorated due to systematic denial of medical care, including refusal to provide him medication for heart arrhythmia and panic attacks. He has reported auditory hallucinations, acute stress, and painful urinary tract infections resulting from being denied access to restrooms for nearly 10 hours each night. His toenails have fallen off due to malnutrition, and requests for medical transfer have been repeatedly rejected.
Shockingly, Al-Khalidi was offered access to treatment only in exchange for undergoing illegal interrogations without his lawyer present, which he courageously refused. Despite repeated appeals, even the UNHCR in Bulgaria stated it could not intervene due to the file being under the full control of the Bulgarian National Security Agency (SANS), highlighting the deeply political nature of the case.
Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi’s ordeal is not a standalone case—it represents a broader pattern of transnational repression by the Saudi regime, aided by countries willing to trade lives for political favour. If deported, Al-Khalidi will almost certainly face grave human rights violations, and the Bulgarian government will bear direct responsibility for the consequences.
Together for Justice urgently calls for:
- An immediate halt to all deportation procedures against Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi, and full implementation of the court ruling ordering his release.
- Immediate access to proper medical care and humane treatment in accordance with international law.
- An independent EU investigation into Bulgaria’s handling of the case and its complicity in human rights violations.
- Swift international intervention to protect Al-Khalidi’s safety and ensure his fundamental rights are respected.
- Accountability for those responsible for these unlawful actions and violations of EU and international law.
We call on all human rights defenders, journalists, and organisations to amplify Abdulrahman’s voice and oppose this dangerous precedent.
Join us in demanding:
#StopAlKhalidiDeportation Before it’s too late.
