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Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Hizami
Academic
detainee
Date of Birth
١٤/٠٦/١٩٦٥
City Of Birth
Jizan
Gender
Male
Nationality
Saudi Arabian
Education
Ph. D. in Arabic Language
About The Detainee
A university professor, writer and literary critic. He has many contributions to charitable and humanitarian organisations inside and outside of the Kingdom, and he among the southern region’s most prominent figures, and his lineage is derived from the ancient honourable Family of the House [of the Prophet PBUH]
Arrest And Human Rights Violations
Date Of Arrest:
2021-07-07
City Of Internment:
Abha
Reason
His attendance at the seminar titled “Freedom Between Slogan and Reality,” presented by Dr. Saud Al-Funaisan at Dr. Awad Al-Qarni’s Diwaniya in 2013, along with several tweets in which he expressed his opinions and called for the release of prisoners of conscience, and delivering Friday sermons that contradicted the Saudi government's stance. It is worth noting that the mentioned seminar was officially approved by the relevant authorities in the Asir region.
Method
A 24 person security force raided his home on Wednesday the 7th of July 2021, in the city of Abha in southern Saudi Arabia. [they] searched his home scattering the contents before apprehending [him] and taking him to an unknown location
Practices And Violations
- Arbitrary detention
- Denial of communication with his family
- Enforced disappearance
- Unfair trial
- Unjust sentencing despite the baselessness of the Public Prosecution's claims and lack of sufficient evidence
- Continued detention despite his advanced age
The Human Dimension In His Detention
His health continues to deteriorate, compounded by his advanced age, as he is over 64 years old
Prison
Unknown
Trial and legal proceedings
He was sentenced to 23 years in prison, along with a 23-year travel ban, and his account on platform X was permanently deleted and shut down.
The Public Prosecution accused him of supporting terrorist ideologies and concealing individuals allegedly aiming to disrupt public order, destabilize state security, and threaten its unity.
The evidence cited by the prosecution included tweets from an account he did not own or follow, written in a style unbefitting his status as a professor of Arabic. Furthermore, he had deleted his account six years prior to his arrest. Even if the tweets were authentic, they merely included prayers for the release of those unjustly imprisoned.
Regarding allegations of supporting a banned group and concealing individuals with extremist ideologies, Al-Hazmi stated that these charges were vague and lacked evidence. The cited seminar was officially licensed and attended by more than 50 prominent individuals, none of whom faced accusations. Additionally, the counterterrorism law was enacted five years later, making it legally invalid to prosecute prior actions.
As for the sermon mentioned by the prosecution, it occurred before the enactment of the counterterrorism law. He was summoned by the Asir Emirate and signed a written pledge not to repeat the sermon. He continued serving as a preacher for three years afterward.
Concerning the banned book, Al-Hazmi clarified that it had been in his library for 40 years and was sold in public bookstores without any prohibition at the time.
Time Line For Arrest
2022-09-06
The Specialized Criminal Court sentenced him to 23 years in prison and imposed an additional 23-year travel ban
He was arrested