Ziyad Al-Sufyani: A Journalist Detained for Defending Free Expression on Wikipedia
Since September 2020, Saudi journalist and Wikipedia editor Ziyad Al-Sufyani has been imprisoned, enduring four years in detention due to his efforts to share information considered critical of the Saudi government. Accused of providing content that highlights the repression of political activists in Saudi Arabia, Al-Sufyani was sentenced to eight years in prison—a punishment that human rights organizations view as an egregious violation of his right to free expression and access to information.
Background: Targeted for Truth
Ziyad Al-Sufyani was an active contributor to Wikipedia, dedicated to presenting unbiased information on sensitive issues, including the government’s handling of political dissent. His arrest and harsh sentencing followed accusations of “spreading critical information” about Saudi Arabia’s repression of activists—a subject of significant public and international concern. His work on Wikipedia, a platform known for transparency and accuracy, has now led to his unjust imprisonment.
The implications of Al-Sufyani’s detention extend beyond his personal suffering; they reveal a broader state strategy of controlling online narratives and silencing voices that challenge official narratives. His case highlights the lengths to which Saudi authorities are willing to go to suppress independent reporting and stifle public awareness.
A Coordinated Effort to Control Wikipedia
The case of Al-Sufyani is not an isolated incident. In January 2022, the Wikimedia Foundation launched an investigation into Saudi influence on Wikipedia. It confirmed that several Saudi-linked users had engaged in coordinated editing practices to advance the government’s agenda, censor dissenting voices, and present a more favorable image of Saudi Arabia on the platform. The government’s reach extended even further, with evidence suggesting that some citizens were either encouraged or coerced into acting as agents of the regime, monitoring and manipulating content to align with Saudi state interests.
The investigation also revealed that two high-ranking Wikipedia administrators—volunteers with advanced access to edit fully protected pages—refused to comply with this coordinated manipulation. Both individuals were subsequently arrested in September 2020 andremain imprisoned for their principled stand against government influence on the platform.
Together for Justice Calls for Immediate Action
Together for Justice condemns the Saudi government’s relentless efforts to control free expression on Wikipedia, targeting individuals who sought to uphold truth and transparency on a widely respected global platform. Al-Sufyani’s detention, along with that of the other volunteer administrators, is a clear assault on digital freedom and access to accurate information.
Together for Justice calls on the Saudi government to release Ziyad Al-Sufyani and all other detained Wikipedia administrators immediately. The organization urges the international community, human rights bodies, and digital rights advocates to speak out against the silencing of those who stand for the truth in Saudi Arabia. Online freedom of expression is a cornerstone of modern society, and no government should be allowed to dictate narratives through intimidation and coercion.
We call for transparency and accountability from all digital platforms, ensuring that contributors are protected from government interference. Together for Justice stands firmly with Ziyad Al-Sufyani and those who refuse to compromise their principles in the face of state oppression.
