Saudi Arabia Continues to Detain Dr. Khaled Al-Rashed Since 2005… SANAD Calls for His Release

Saudi authorities have continued to detain Dr. Khaled Al-Rashed since 2005, following his arrest over a Friday sermon that authorities deemed contrary to their policies.

According to available information, Dr. Al-Rashed was arrested while staying with his wife at a hotel in Mecca. During the arrest, his wife was placed under house arrest for three days, denied contact with her family or a lawyer, before being released. At the time, Dr. Al-Rashed was told that his detention would last no more than three hours for questioning, yet he has remained imprisoned to this day.

Reports indicate that Dr. Al-Rashed was subjected to serious violations during his detention in Mabahith (General Intelligence) prison, including six months of enforced disappearance in a narrow solitary confinement cell. He also endured physical and psychological torture, including repeated beatings to the face, being shackled and suspended, sleep deprivation, and denial of contact with his family.

Health Deterioration and Medical Neglect

Documented information further confirms that Dr. Al-Rashed’s health condition has significantly deteriorated as a result of harsh detention conditions, amid deliberate medical neglect by Saudi authorities and the failure to provide necessary healthcare despite his worsening condition.

Repeated Trials and Excessive Sentences

Dr. Al-Rashed was subjected to a series of sham trials that resulted in escalating sentences. In November 2007, he was sentenced to five years in prison, before the sentence was increased to 15 years in December 2007.

In March 2020, his sentence ended without his release. In November 2021, he was transferred from Al-Ha’ir Prison to Mabahith prison. In February 2022, he was retried and given an additional eight-year sentence, raising his total sentence to 23 years.

In November 2022, the sentence was increased once again by adding 17 more years, bringing the total length of his imprisonment to 40 years.

SANAD Human Rights Organization renews its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Khaled Al-Rashed, for providing him with appropriate compensation, and for the release of all prisoners of conscience—men and women—held in Saudi prisons.