Eight Years Behind Bars: Dr. Ismail Al-Hassan Remains Detained in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Ismail Al-Hassan has completed eight years behind bars since his arrest in July 2018 over his work as office manager for Dr. Safar Al-Hawali, who was also arrested by Saudi authorities that year.

According to human rights sources, Al-Hassan is serving a 10-year prison sentence amid a lack of transparency and limited information about his detention conditions and trial proceedings. His prolonged detention is linked to his association with Dr. Al-Hawali.

In July 2018, Saudi authorities launched a crackdown targeting Dr. Safar Al-Hawali and several members of his family, including his sons Abdullah, Abdulrahim, and Abdulrahman, as well as his brother Saadullah Al-Hawali. The arrests followed a draft book written by Al-Hawali that criticized conditions in the Kingdom and offered advice to society, religious scholars, and the ruling family.

SANAD Human Rights Organization states that the continued detention of Dr. Ismail Al-Hassan, Dr. Safar Al-Hawali, and members of the Al-Hawali family over cases related to freedom of opinion and expression violates their fundamental rights. SANAD renews its call on Saudi authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally, along with all prisoners of conscience, and to end persecution and restrictions imposed over peaceful expression.