5th Anniversary of the Arrest of Yemeni Businessman Mohammed Fadael

These days mark the fifth anniversary of the arrest of Yemeni businessman Mohammed Fadael by Saudi authorities in June 2020. He remains imprisoned under an unjust 25-year sentence based on fabricated and politically motivated charges.

His arrest came as part of a wider crackdown targeting residents and activists in Saudi Arabia, allegedly due to his personal connection with Turkish presidential adviser Yasin Aktay. The charges brought against him were contradictory, including alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement, and Al-Qaeda — an indication of the baseless nature of these accusations and the authorities’ attempt to justify this severe ruling.

During his imprisonment, Mohammed Fadael has suffered serious abuses, including being beaten on the head, abdomen, and kicked in the leg to extract forced confessions. He was compelled to sign two statements under torture and was subjected to solitary confinement for four months and 20 days. He was also denied contact with his family and children residing in Turkey.

In an additional violation of his right to legal defense, the Saudi court rejected his request to authorize his brother to represent him in Turkish courts — a decision that caused him significant financial losses in his ongoing investments there.

Sanad Human Rights Organization renews its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mohammed Fadael, an end to his suffering and that of his family, and for those responsible for the abuses he endured in prison to be held accountable. The organization also urges the international community and human rights bodies to maintain pressure on Saudi authorities to end such politically motivated arrests and unfair trials and to ensure the protection of all those arbitrarily detained in the Kingdom.