The Ninth Anniversary of the Detention of Media Professional Musaed Al-Kathiri: Continued Detention Despite the Expiry of His Sentence

Media professional Musaed bin Hamad Al-Kathiri has completed his ninth year behind bars in Saudi prisons and entered his tenth year since his arrest in September 2017. He remains in detention despite the expiry of the sentence imposed on him more than five years ago.

Saudi authorities arrested Al-Kathiri in September 2017 and subjected him to a secret trial that ended with a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, which expired in 2021. However, the authorities continued to detain him after the expiry of his sentence, without any legal basis.

During his detention, Al-Kathiri was subjected to violations of his fundamental rights, including being denied communication with his family, having his trial hearings conducted in secret, and being deprived of his right to appoint a lawyer to defend him.

Sanad Human Rights Organization renews its call on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Musaed Al-Kathiri, ensure his safety and full rights, and provide him with appropriate compensation for the harm he has suffered.