Seven Years of Suffering: Aida Al-Ghamdi and Her Son Behind Bars Without a Crime

These days mark the seventh anniversary of the arrest of elderly Aida Al-Ghamdi, aged 66, and her son Adel Al-Ghamdi, who were detained in March 2018.

Aida Al-Ghamdi is serving a 16-year prison sentence, while her son Adel is serving a 14-year sentence in Dammam Prison.

Their arrest came as a result of Aida’s communication with her son Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, an opposition figure abroad, and receiving a small financial aid from him. During their detention, Aida and Adel were subjected to severe abuses, including beatings and kicks, especially to the face, as well as both psychological and physical torture, where each was tortured in front of the other, and cigarette burns were inflicted on their bodies.

Sanad Human Rights Organization calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Aida Al-Ghamdi and her son Adel, and to provide them with the necessary compensation. The organization also calls for the release of all prisoners of conscience—men and women alike—and for an end to the ongoing campaigns of repression against citizens and residents.