Sanad Human Rights Organization: Continued Detention of Dr. Abdullah Al-Yahya Over Anti-Normalization Tweets

Saudi authorities have continued the detention of prominent academic Dr. Abdullah Al-Yahya since December 24, 2021, without filing any formal charges or providing clear legal justification. His arrest came after he posted tweets on X (formerly Twitter) expressing his opposition to normalization with Israel.

Dr. Al-Yahya, born in Buraidah in 1952, earned both his Master’s and PhD degrees from the University of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, and is well known for his academic contributions. Despite his distinguished scholarly standing, he remains arbitrarily detained.

Sanad Human Rights Organization calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Abdullah Al-Yahya and all prisoners of conscience detained solely for peacefully expressing their views. The organization further stresses the importance of respecting fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensuring citizens’ right to free expression without repression or intimidation.