On the Tenth Anniversary of His Arrest, Saudi Journalist Tarrad Al-Omari Remains Disappeared Amid Uncertainty Over His Fate

These days mark the tenth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi journalist Tarrad Al-Omari, who was detained in November 2016 over his journalistic writings expressing his reformist views. At the time, Al-Omari was placed in Al-Ha’ir Prison in Riyadh. However, for years, no accurate information has been available about his current place of detention or his health and humanitarian conditions inside the prison.

Al-Omari is a well-known writer whose articles have appeared in several local newspapers, addressing political and social issues and criticizing government policies. Because of his positions and opinions, the Ministry of Information issued a decision banning him from writing, before he ultimately ended up in detention, despite having expressed his views through peaceful means.

After ten years in detention, Al-Omari’s fate remains shrouded in uncertainty. He is not known to have been brought to trial, and all contact with him has been lost for a long time. Reports indicate that his health has deteriorated as a result of medical neglect and denial of necessary care. Information also suggests that Saudi authorities previously offered him conditional release in exchange for refraining from appearing in the media or speaking about public affairs. He rejected these conditions, insisting on his legitimate right to freedom of opinion and expression.

On the tenth anniversary of his arrest, SANAD Human Rights Organization condemns the continued arbitrary detention of journalist Tarrad Al-Omari and calls on the Saudi authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, ensure that he receives the necessary medical care, disclose his fate and place of detention, and put an end to the policy of targeting journalists and writers for peacefully exercising their right to express their views.