Abdullah Jilan… Five years of detention over tweets

These days mark the fifth anniversary of the arrest of young Saudi activist Abdullah Youssef Jilan, who was detained in May 2021 after security forces raided his home in Medina before transferring him to Dhahban Prison in Jeddah.

Born in 1992, Jilan studied in the United States on a Saudi scholarship and graduated with distinction before becoming active on social media, advocating for youth employment rights and fundamental freedoms after authorities refused to recognize his academic degree upon his return to Saudi Arabia.

According to human rights reports, Abdullah Jilan was referred to the Specialized Criminal Court over political satirical tweets and charged under Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism law, which authorities have repeatedly used against critics and peaceful dissidents.

The court later sentenced him to 10 years in prison, followed by a 10-year travel ban.

Reports also indicate that Jilan was subjected to serious abuses during detention, including enforced disappearance, solitary confinement, shackling, electric shocks, beatings, denial of family contact and legal representation, as well as medical neglect and deprivation of healthcare.

SANAD Human Rights Organization renewed its call on Saudi authorities to immediately release Abdullah Jilan and all prisoners of conscience, end violations against them, and guarantee their fundamental rights, foremost among them freedom of expression and fair trial rights.