Son of Awad Al-Qarni: ‘My Father Tried to Treat the Security Forces as Guests, but They Humiliated Him’
The arrest and continued detention of 67-year-old Saudi preacher Awad Al-Qarni, known for his moderate stance and significant following on social media, has raised serious concerns about the treatment of dissidents in Saudi Arabia. Arrested in September 2017, Al-Qarni now faces the risk of the death penalty, with the Public Prosecution demanding this extreme punishment.
According to his son, Nasser Al-Qarni, the preacher was arrested in a humiliating manner and without judicial permission. Despite Awad Al-Qarni’s attempts to honor the security forces who came to arrest him, treating them as guests, they mistreated him and subjected him to a degrading arrest before taking him to prison. He is currently enduring harsh detention conditions.
Nasser Al-Qarni has shared documents that reveal the charges against his father, which are primarily related to his management of a Twitter account and the use of WhatsApp to spread news deemed hostile to the Kingdom. These documents highlight the intensified crackdown on social media activity coinciding with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rise to power.
The documents include a confession where Awad Al-Qarni, a 67-year-old law professor, admitted to running a social media account under his own name and using it to express his opinions. He also confessed to participating in conversations on WhatsApp, during which he shared videos praising the Muslim Brotherhood. Additionally, he is accused of owning a Telegram account for similar purposes. These confessions were made under pressure and torture, casting doubt on their validity.
Since his arrest, Al-Qarni has been subjected to a severe media smear campaign, with government-controlled media outlets portraying him as an extremist cleric and a terrorist. This portrayal starkly contrasts with his reputation for moderation, as evidenced by his writings, programs, and tweets, which have garnered a following of nearly 2 million people.
The court has not yet issued its final ruling, but the continued demand for the death penalty and the harsh treatment he has endured underscore the risks faced by those who express dissenting opinions in Saudi Arabia.
We call upon the international community, human rights organisations, and concerned individuals to raise their voices against this injustice. It is imperative to advocate for Awad Al-Qarni’s fair treatment, ensure due process, and prevent the imposition of the death penalty based on coerced confessions.
About Awad Al-Qarni:
Awad Al-Qarni is a prominent Saudi preacher and law professor known for his moderate views and active engagement on social media. He was arrested in September 2017 as part of a broader campaign against opposition figures following the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
