30-Year Sentence for a Tweet: The Case of Saudi Prisoner Fatima Al-Shawarbi
Saudi prisoner of conscience Fatima Al-Shawarbi has completed her fourth year behind bars after being arrested and secretly tried for publishing a series of tweets advocating for the rights of prisoners and criticizing the increasing arrests of citizens attempting to peacefully express their opinions.
Al-Shawarbi was arrested in September 2020 after Saudi authorities hacked her Twitter account, which she was using under a pseudonym. Her identity was discovered through bribery of employees at the international company managing the platform. She was subsequently taken to Dammam Investigation Prison and isolated from the outside world for months. In June 2023, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced her to 30 years and 6 months in prison, along with a travel ban for an equivalent period after her release.
This harsh ruling has been widely condemned by international human rights groups, highlighting it as further evidence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s relentless campaign against dissent.
During her detention, Al-Shawarbi faced numerous psychological and physical abuses at the hands of jailers and security personnel. Her health deteriorated significantly, and the prison administration repeatedly refused to transfer her to a hospital or allow her to see a prison doctor.
Notably, Al-Shawarbi began a hunger strike alongside other female Saudi detainees to protest their harsh sentences and the mistreatment they faced in prison. Despite the strike, the authorities ignored their demands, and Al-Shawarbi nearly lost her life due to prolonged abstinence from food and drink. She was eventually forced to call off the strike as her health worsened, and her pleas for assistance were ignored by Saudi authorities.
“Toghether for Justice” emphasises the urgent need for intervention by relevant international authorities and regimes to end the oppressive and unjust practices of the Saudi regime against its opponents. We call for immediate International action to review these rulings and ensure that all detainees receive their right to a fair trial.
