Dangerous Development: Arrest of Saudi Citizens for Disclosing Sentencing Details to the Defendants Themselves

In an unprecedented escalation of repression, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced today the arrest of several Saudi citizens accused of leaking information about sentences to the detainees themselves.

SANAD Human Rights Organization expressed its deep astonishment at this move, calling it a blatant violation of human rights. SANAD emphasized that every defendant has the right to know the details of their sentence before anyone else. Criminalizing this fundamental right reflects a troubling level of repression by Saudi authorities, further deteriorating the human rights situation in the country.

SANAD points out that the defendant’s right to be informed of their sentence is a basic right guaranteed by international human rights law, as well as Saudi local law. Article 182 of the Saudi Criminal Procedures Law mandates that the sentenced person be immediately informed of the judgment issued against them. Turning this right into a crime is a violation of the principles of justice and transparency, raising concerns about the real motives behind these arrests.

SANAD calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately release the detainees and reconsider these repressive practices, which contradict international legal principles. The organization urges the authorities to uphold individuals’ rights to access information concerning them and ensure justice in handling cases.