Five Years Since Retired Teacher Mohammed Kadwan’s Arrest and 20-Year Prison Sentence

These days mark the fifth anniversary of the arrest of retired teacher Mohammed Kadwan, who was detained by Saudi authorities on July 7, 2021, over his attendance at a seminar held more than nine years earlier at the home of Dr. Awad Al-Qarni. The event, titled “Freedom Between Slogan and Reality,” was presented by Dr. Saud Al-Funaisan. The case also cited a speech Kadwan had previously delivered at a mosque in Abha.

The Public Prosecution charged him with supporting terrorist ideology, concealing those who promote it, seeking to undermine state security, and insulting religious scholars. Prosecutors relied on what they described as a “certified confession,” but the document was later found to contain only personal information and a résumé, with no confession or evidence supporting the accusations.

Despite this, the prosecution sought the maximum penalties under Saudi counterterrorism law, along with a severe discretionary sentence and a travel ban.

Details of the case show that the seminar Kadwan attended was public, licensed, and broadcast by the media. Its speaker was then serving as dean of the College of Sharia at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, undermining claims that the event was secret or prohibited.

Kadwan denied any connection to unlawful activities or extremist ideas, stating that he had stopped all public activity years earlier and complied with official instructions. He also explained that he had previously been questioned over the mosque speech, pledged not to repeat it, and was subsequently banned from preaching.

The consequences extended beyond his 20-year prison sentence and travel ban. He was dismissed from his job at a charitable organization in Rijal Almaa and his salary was cut off, despite being the sole provider for two wives and several children.

SANAD Human Rights Organization renews its call on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mohammed Kadwan, review his case in line with justice, and respect his fundamental rights, particularly freedom of opinion and expression.