Noura Al-Qahtani: Four Years Since Her Arrest Over Tweets and Possession of a Book
This month marks the fourth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi activist Noura bint Saeed Al-Qahtani, who was detained by Saudi authorities on July 4, 2021, over tweets she posted from an anonymous account on Twitter (now X), calling for the release of prisoners of conscience in the kingdom.
Noura, who was 50 years old at the time of her arrest, was later charged with a number of offenses linked to her peaceful online activity. These included “insulting state symbols,” “undermining societal security,” and “possessing a book by Dr. Salman Al-Ouda”—a book that is publicly available in several bookstores inside Saudi Arabia.
On February 16, 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced her to 13 years in prison. This was later increased to 45 years of effective imprisonment on August 9, 2022, followed by another 45-year travel ban—making it the longest known prison sentence handed to a Saudi woman for online expression.
Reports indicate that Noura was among the victims of the Twitter spying and hacking campaign used to identify and arrest activists and users. In a report dated April 3, 2023, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) concluded that Noura’s arrest was arbitrary, calling for her immediate release, compensation, and full redress.
Noura is a mother of five, including a disabled daughter, which makes her ongoing detention under inhumane conditions even more concerning. In February 2025, she was reportedly transferred to solitary confinement, with further rights violations including denial of family visits and communication, amounting to enforced disappearance.
SANAD Human Rights Organization renews its call on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Noura Al-Qahtani, end the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression, and ensure her right to fair trial and dignity. SANAD also urges the international community to take serious action to secure her release and that of all prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia.
