On the Fourth Anniversary of His Arrest, SANAD Calls for the Immediate Release of Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Youbi

These days mark the fourth anniversary of the arrest of former King Abdulaziz University president Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Youbi, who has been detained since July 2022 despite the collapse of all charges against him and evidence clearing him of fabricated corruption and embezzlement allegations.

SANAD Human Rights Organization previously revealed that Al-Youbi’s arrest followed a malicious complaint by a university official due to a personal dispute. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later intervened personally after Al-Youbi’s sons sought King Salman’s mediation for their father’s release.

According to reliable information obtained by SANAD, the Crown Prince ordered a fabricated charge accusing Al-Youbi of embezzling half a billion Saudi riyals, alongside a smear campaign through pro-government media and online accounts.

Saudi authorities later hired an external accountant to audit the allegations. The audit reportedly found no evidence of embezzlement or financial corruption. Despite this, the Crown Prince rejected the findings and insisted on continuing Al-Youbi’s detention.

SANAD’s sources indicate that Al-Youbi remains held in a villa used for detentions in Riyadh, under direct supervision of the Crown Prince.

Dr. Abdulrahman bin Obaid Al-Youbi is a prominent Saudi academic, born in 1958 in Al-Abwa, southwest of Medina. He earned a PhD in chemistry from the University of Essex in 1986 and held several senior academic positions, including president of King Abdulaziz University and acting head of the University of Jeddah.

SANAD renews its call on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Youbi, restore his reputation, and provide him with appropriate compensation.