On the fifth anniversary of his arrest… Saudi authorities continue to detain young Ahmed Abdulnasir Al-Huwaiti

October 1, 2025, marks five years since the arrest of Ahmed Abdulnasir Al-Huwaiti, who was only 19 years old at the time. He remains in Saudi prisons today for rejecting the forced displacement of his family and members of the Al-Huwaitat tribe from their ancestral lands.

Ahmed was arrested on October 1, 2020, at Prince Fahd bin Sultan University in Tabuk, when security forces from the General Intelligence Directorate surrounded the university campus and detained him in a clear violation of students’ basic rights and the sanctity of educational institutions.

In September 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced Ahmed to 20 years in prison, as part of a series of harsh rulings against his family members. His father, Abdulnasir Al-Huwaiti, was sentenced to 27 years, while his uncle, Mahmoud Al-Huwaiti, received a 35-year sentence.

Ahmed is also the nephew of Abdulrahim Al-Huwaiti, who was killed by Saudi authorities in his home during the forced displacement operation targeting the Al-Huwaitat tribe.

SANAD Human Rights Organization recalls these grave violations against Ahmed and his family with deep concern over the Saudi government’s policy of repression against peaceful dissidents and independent voices. SANAD calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Ahmed Abdulnasir Al-Huwaiti and all detained members of his family, along with fair compensation for the severe harm they have suffered.