Two Months Left on Her Sentence: Saudi Authorities Continue Arbitrary Detention of Journalist Maha Al-Rafidi

Saudi authorities continue to arbitrarily detain journalist Maha Al-Rafidi since September 2019, due to her peaceful expression of opinion on social media, where she voiced support for prisoners of conscience and rejected normalization policies — a clear violation of the right to free expression guaranteed under international law.

According to verified reports, a masked security force of approximately 30 officers raided Al-Rafidi’s home at the time of her arrest, confiscating her belongings and electronic devices. She was then subjected to solitary confinement and enforced disappearance for four months, during which signs of bruises were observed during a family visit, indicating that she had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment.

The Specialized Criminal Court sentenced Al-Rafidi to six years in prison and an additional six-year travel ban, a harsher sentence than the previous one of five years with half suspended. Her continued detention comes despite only two months remaining until the end of her sentence.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Saudi Arabia currently holds at least 19 journalists in detention. This highlights the sharp decline in press freedom within the Kingdom, reflected in Saudi Arabia’s 162nd ranking out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2025 World Press Freedom Index, published earlier this year.

SANAD Human Rights Organization reiterates its call on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Maha Al-Rafidi and all prisoners of conscience. SANAD urges the international community to take concrete steps to pressure the Saudi government to end these violations and ensure protection for journalists and human rights defenders.