Together for Justice renews its call for the immediate and unconditional release of ten Egyptian Nubian nationals detained in Saudi Arabia since 2019, and expresses its support for the urgent appeal issued by Amnesty International demanding their release.
The case dates back to October 2019, when Saudi authorities arrested ten Egyptian Nubians after they organized a peaceful cultural event to commemorate the October 1973 war. Although they were initially released with travel bans, they were re-arrested in July 2020 and subjected to enforced disappearance for over two months before being transferred to detention.
According to available information, the detainees were charged with offenses including “establishing an unlicensed association” and “posting on social media,” before the charges were later escalated to include security-related allegations. Their trial before the Specialized Criminal Court was marked by serious due process violations, including limited access to legal counsel and reliance on confessions reportedly obtained under coercion. Allegations of torture were raised by the defense but were not properly addressed during proceedings.
In October 2022, the court sentenced them to prison terms ranging from 10 to 18 years. While some sentences were reduced in September 2025, all ten men remain in detention to this day, marking seven years since their initial arrest.
Reports also indicate deteriorating health conditions among several detainees, particularly older individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, raising serious concerns about their well-being in detention.
From a legal perspective, the detention of these individuals on the basis of a peaceful cultural gathering constitutes arbitrary detention and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The reported use of coerced confessions, lack of fair trial guarantees, and prolonged detention further undermine the legitimacy of the convictions.
The case also raises concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of cultural or ethnic identity, as the detainees were targeted in connection with a community-based cultural activity.
Together for Justice considers this case emblematic of a broader pattern in which peaceful activities are criminalized and judicial processes are used to impose severe penalties. The continued detention of these individuals, despite the absence of credible legal grounds and ongoing health risks, underscores the urgency of international intervention.
Accordingly, Together for Justice joins international calls for their immediate and unconditional release, guarantees of access to adequate medical care, and full respect for their legal rights, including access to lawyers and family members. The organization also calls for an independent investigation into the violations committed against them and for accountability in line with international legal standards.
Together for Justice urges the international community to intensify pressure on Saudi authorities to resolve this case in accordance with their international human rights obligations and to prevent the recurrence of similar violations.