Saudi Lawyer Abdulaziz Al-Shubaily Released After Nearly 8 Years of Imprisonment

According to human rights and media sources, Saudi authorities have released lawyer and human rights activist Abdulaziz Al-Shubaily on Saturday, June 21, after nearly eight years of detention since September 2017, due to his human rights activism, his defense of prisoners of conscience, and his membership in the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (HASAM).

It is worth noting that Al-Shubaily had previously been detained in 2014 over his peaceful advocacy for rights, and was released in 2016—only to be re-arrested in 2017 after being sentenced to eight years in prison, along with an eight-year travel ban and a ban on using social media platforms, on charges related to freedom of expression, such as “inciting public disorder,” “insulting the judiciary,” and “joining an unlicensed association.”

Sanad Human Rights Organization congratulates Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Shubaily and his family on his release, and calls on the Saudi authorities to lift the travel ban imposed on him and to fully restore his legitimate rights to freedom of movement and expression.