SANAD Calls for the Release of Gamal Masri on the Sixth Anniversary of His Arrest

These days mark the sixth anniversary of the arrest of Egyptian Nubian activist Gamal Abdullah Masri, 54, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for many years. He remains detained in Abha Prison in the Asir region, where he is serving an arbitrary prison sentence of more than ten years over his involvement in preparations for a peaceful event in the capital, Riyadh.

Security forces affiliated with the General Directorate of Investigation raided Masri’s home on 14 July 2020 and arbitrarily arrested him. He was then subjected to enforced disappearance for a period before being referred to the Specialized Criminal Court.

On 10 October 2022, the court handed him a harsh prison sentence of more than ten years based on vague charges, including “spreading false rumors,” “establishing an unlicensed association,” and “supporting a terrorist group.”

Gamal Masri’s arrest was part of a security crackdown targeting ten Egyptian citizens of Nubian origin shortly before they were due to hold a peaceful cultural event at the premises of the Nubian Association in Riyadh to commemorate the October 1973 War. All ten detainees remain in custody to this day.

According to human rights sources, Masri has been subjected to a series of violations since his arrest, including arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, denial of visits and regular communication with his family, as well as being prevented from appointing a lawyer to defend him during stages of his detention and trial.

SANAD Human Rights Organization affirms that the continued detention and imprisonment of Gamal Abdullah Masri over his peaceful activities within the Nubian community constitutes a grave violation of his fundamental rights, foremost among them the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

The organization calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Gamal Masri and all those detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, overturn the sentences issued against them, and ensure that they receive compensation for the violations they have suffered.