Activists celebrate the release of Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi PhD student, after her lengthy imprisonment for online activism. Although her sentence was significantly reduced, calls for broader protections for dissidents remain urgent in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia Reduces Sentence of Jailed Scholar Amid Activism Concerns
Saudi Arabia Reduces Sentence of Jailed Scholar Amid Activism Concerns
Salma al-Shehab, a PhD student imprisoned for social media dissent, is now free, raising debates on Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
A Saudi Arabia PhD student, Salma al-Shehab, has recently been released after her harsh prison sentence linked to her online activism was notably reduced. Al-Shehab, 36, a mother of two and a doctoral candidate at the University of Leeds, was detained in 2021 during a family visit in the kingdom. Initially sentenced to six years in a terrorism tribunal for "disturbing public order" through her social media posts advocating for reform and the release of fellow activists, her punishment escalated to a staggering 34 years, leading activists to label her incarceration arbitrary.
Following appeals, her sentence was cut down to 27 years and later to four years with an additional four years suspended. Although there has yet to be an official confirmation from Saudi authorities, her release was highlighted by ALQST, a rights organization based in the UK, advocating for her complete liberty, including the right to continue her studies in the UK.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s administration has maintained a strict clampdown on dissenting voices over recent years, often imposing severe sentences on peaceful critics, including those advocating for women's rights. Al-Shehab’s digital activism — which included endorsing women’s rights activists jailed prior to significant reforms like the lifting of the driving ban in 2018 — was deemed "terrorism" by the authorities, showcasing the regime's tenuous grip on public expression.
As Salma al-Shehab rejoices in her newfound freedom, human rights advocates, including Amnesty International, express concerns over the numerous individuals still imprisoned for similar reasons, such as Manahel al-Otaibi and Nourah al-Qahtani, who face severe sentences for vocalizing their support for women's rights online. As dialogues about human rights and freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia become more pronounced, activists stress the urgency of addressing the plight of those still facing imprisonment for their advocacy.
