Continued detention of Islamic preacher Issam Al-Owaid in solitary confinement since February 2017

Saudi authorities continue to detain Islamic preacher Issam bin Saleh Al-Owaid since February 2017 in Al-Ha’ir Prison in Riyadh, with reports indicating he has remained in solitary confinement since his arrest.

The Specialized Criminal Court initially sentenced him to four years in prison, three of which were to be served, meaning his sentence ended in February 2020. However, authorities did not release him and kept him in solitary confinement. In 2021, the appeals court retried his case and later issued a harsher sentence in September 2022, sentencing him to 27 years in prison.

During his detention, Al-Owaid was subjected to multiple violations, including enforced disappearance for two years, continuous solitary confinement, and deprivation of basic rights, including being denied permission to attend his father’s funeral.

SANAD Human Rights Organization calls for his immediate release and appropriate compensation. Until then, he must be removed from solitary confinement.