Saudi authorities continue detaining human rights activist Mohammed Al-Bajadi after extending his sentence to 25 years

Saudi authorities continue to hold human rights activist and founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), Mohammed Al-Bajadi, despite the expiration of his previous sentence more than two years ago. Authorities recently increased his sentence to 25 years.

According to human rights sources, the Specialized Criminal Court issued the new sentence on October 27, 2025, while Al-Bajadi remained imprisoned despite completing his original sentence in 2023.

Al-Bajadi was arrested in May 2018 over his peaceful activism and involvement in founding ACPRA. He was initially sentenced to ten years in prison, with five years suspended. Despite completing that sentence, authorities continued to detain him arbitrarily.

During his detention, Al-Bajadi reportedly faced prolonged solitary confinement, physical and psychological torture, denial of family visits and communication, and restrictions on access to legal representation.

Saudi authorities have repeatedly subjected detainees to retrials after the completion of their sentences in proceedings widely criticized for lacking basic fair trial standards, often to justify continued detention of reform advocates and human rights defenders.

Mohammed Al-Bajadi is one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent human rights activists. He was previously detained in 2007, 2008, and 2011, before being released in 2016 after spending more than five years in prison.