Together for Justice has expressed deep concern over the unclear fate of Saudi citizen Faisal Al-Mutairi following his disappearance from public view and the deletion of his LinkedIn account days after he published a widely circulated post criticising hiring practices within the Qiddiya project.
Al-Mutairi, who reportedly worked within the project, published a post alleging widespread favouritism and nepotism inside Qiddiya, claiming that foreign employees were being prioritised for leadership and administrative positions over qualified Saudi nationals despite official localisation policies and repeated promises to create opportunities for citizens.
The circulated excerpts of the post included criticism of recruitment and promotion policies within the project, references to large salaries and benefits granted to some expatriate employees, and allegations of serious flaws in the implementation of Saudization policies within one of the flagship projects linked to Vision 2030.
Following the widespread circulation of the post across social media platforms, Al-Mutairi’s account suddenly disappeared amid reports that he had been subjected to legal threats and pressure. Saudi authorities, however, have remained completely silent regarding the matter, providing no clarification as to his whereabouts or whether any legal or security measures were taken against him.
This uncertainty, combined with Saudi Arabia’s well-documented pattern of targeting critical voices, raises serious concerns about Al-Mutairi’s safety, particularly in light of previous cases involving arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of individuals who publicly expressed opinions or exposed issues related to public affairs.
Together for Justice stresses that peaceful expression of opinion—including criticism of administrative or economic policies, discussion of alleged corruption, or raising concerns about employment practices—must never be met with intimidation, disappearance, or retaliation, but rather protected as part of the right to free expression and public accountability.
The organization further warns that the use of silence and ambiguity surrounding the fate of individuals after they face pressure or disappear from public platforms contributes to a climate of fear designed to silence criticism rather than address the issues being raised.
Together for Justice therefore holds Saudi authorities fully responsible for the safety and well-being of Faisal Al-Mutairi and calls for the immediate disclosure of his fate and current status, including clarification as to whether he has been subjected to detention, summons, or any form of security-related action because of his views or public statements.
The organization also calls on Saudi authorities to respect freedom of expression and to cease using intimidation, legal pressure, or security measures to suppress discussions related to corruption, employment practices, or public policy within major state-linked projects.
What has happened to Faisal Al-Mutairi over the past days once again reflects the fragility of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia, where a public post criticising hiring practices can quickly become a source of disappearance, uncertainty, and official silence rather than an opportunity for transparency and accountability.