Nine Years On — Saudi Authorities Continue to Disappear Journalist Turad Al-Omari

These days mark the ninth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi journalist Turad Al-Omari in November 2016, over a series of articles in which he expressed reformist views. Al-Omari was initially detained in Al-Ha’ir Prison in Riyadh, but for several years now, his exact whereabouts and condition remain unknown.

Al-Omari is a well-known writer who contributed to several local newspapers, where he addressed political and social issues and criticized government policies, particularly Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen. His writings led the Ministry of Information to impose a ban on his publishing, and despite expressing his opinions peacefully, the authorities chose to arrest him instead of respecting his right to free expression.

During the early years of his detention — and before his complete disappearance — Al-Omari was never brought to trial, amid reports of a deteriorating health condition due to deliberate medical neglect. According to available information, authorities offered to release him on the condition that he refrain from media appearances or public commentary, a deal he refused, insisting on his legitimate right to free expression.

SANAD Human Rights Organization condemns the continued arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of journalist Turad Al-Omari, and calls on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him, ensure his access to medical care, and end the targeting of journalists and writers for their peaceful expression of opinion.