SANAD Organization Stands in Solidarity with Al-Muzaini Following Saudi Appellate Court’s 43-Year Prison Sentence

The SANAD Human Rights Organization expresses its full solidarity with the owner and founder of Myrkott Company, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Muzaini, who has been sentenced to 13 years in prison and a 30-year travel ban. This reflects part of the ongoing campaign waged by the Saudi authorities against creatives and entrepreneurs in the country.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) on June 26, 2024, before later deleting it, Al-Muzaini stated that in 2021, pressures began on him and his company, Myrkott, after they secured an exclusive contract with Netflix to broadcast the animated series “Masameer County.” He explained that the threats continued from the Director of Violations Control at the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM), Saad Al-Suhaimi, who treated him in a rude and harsh manner unbecoming of a state employee. Al-Suhaimi objected to Myrkott’s contract with Netflix, questioning why they did not contract with MBC, which was a clear interference in the commercial and personal affairs of a citizen without legal authorization. Al-Suhaimi even went as far as to threaten to erase Myrkott from existence, highlighting the absence of law and the prevailing chaos in Saudi Arabia.

In this context, Al-Muzaini stated that the violations recorded by Al-Suhaimi were unprofessional, especially the last violation which accused Myrkott of supporting terrorism, ISIS, and homosexuality—contradictory and surprising accusations based on a distortion of the first episode of the Masameer series. Al-Muzaini categorically denied these accusations.

Based on the violations report signed by Saad Al-Suhaimi and two other GCAM employees, the Public Prosecution demanded a 25-year prison sentence and an equal travel ban. An initial ruling sentenced him to 13 years in prison and a travel ban for the same period. However, upon appeal, the sentence was upheld with 13 years in prison and a 30-year travel ban, and the case is now before the Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority according to the Saudi system.

Al-Muzaini noted that he was surprised to be banned from travel six months before receiving continuous threats from Saad Al-Suhaimi. The violations extended beyond false accusations and a long prison sentence without justification, to the closure of Myrkott and the dismissal of all its employees.

It is worth mentioning that Myrkott is one of the leading Saudi companies in the field of digital entertainment content production and distribution, founded in Riyadh, and has gained widespread popularity. One of its most famous productions is the “Masameer” series, an animated series for adults known for its satirical and critical style that addresses social and political issues in Saudi society humorously. The series has been very successful, leading to the production of multiple seasons and short films.

SANAD Human Rights Organization stands in solidarity with the owner and founder of Myrkott Company, Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Muzaini, and calls on the Saudi authorities to stop persecuting creatives in the country. It also calls for the annulment of the unjust rulings against him and the immediate lifting of his travel ban.