Since September 2017… Dr. Mohammed Al-Shanar Remains Behind Bars

These days mark the ninth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi academic Dr. Mohammed Al-Shanar, who has remained detained since the September 2017 crackdown that targeted a number of scholars and intellectuals in the Kingdom.

According to documentation by Sanad Human Rights Organization, Al-Shanar has appeared before the court only twice since his arrest. The first hearing took place in September 2018, a year after his arrest. No further hearings have been held since then, and no judicial verdict has been issued against him, according to the information available to the organization.

During his detention, Al-Shanar was subjected to violations including being denied family visits for several months, being prevented from appointing a lawyer, and medical neglect, according to the organization’s documentation.

For its part, Sanad Human Rights Organization calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately release Dr. Mohammed Al-Shanar, provide redress and appropriate compensation for the harm he has suffered, as well as release all prisoners of conscience and detainees of conscience and end violations against them.