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Dr Muhammad Al-Hadeif
Academic
detainee
Date of Birth
1962
City Of Birth
Riyadh
Gender
Male
Nationality
Saudi
Education
PhD in Media, University of Wales
About The Detainee
A university professor and a journalist who has published many research papers and literature in the field of media. He was the author and presenter of a number of television programs, e.g., on the Al-Resalah and Daleel channels. He was known for his strong views which sometimes opposed the policies of the Kingdom, and the other Gulf and Arab states.
Arrest And Human Rights Violations
Date Of Arrest:
2016-03-19
City Of Internment:
Riyadh
Reason
He was arrested following tweets in which he criticised the UAE, which were considered insulting a sister country
Method
He was arrested in Riyadh’s airport upon his return from an international trip
Practices And Violations
- Arbitrary detention in March 2016 due to tweets expressing his opinion.
- Physical torture, including beatings and electric shocks.
- Detention alongside psychiatric patients with the intent to harm him.
- Deliberate medical neglect.
- Sentence increased from 9 years to 13 years by the Court of Appeals.
- Secret trial proceedings.
- Denied the right to appoint legal counsel.
- Mistreatment by prison authorities.
The Human Dimension In His Detention
His health deteriorated due to deliberate medical negligence by the prison administration
Prison
Al-ha’ir
Trial and legal proceedings
He was sentenced to five years in a secret trial by the Specialized Criminal Court on charges of "insulting a brotherly state." As his sentence neared completion, the ruling was overturned, and a new sentence of nine years was issued. This, however, was deemed insufficient, and the sentence was further increased to 13 years
Time Line For Arrest
2018-06-01
He was sentenced to 5 years in prison, accompanied by a 5-year travel ban
2021-02-16
It was revealed that his previous sentence was overturned, and a new ruling was issued sentencing him to 9 years in prison
2021-09-22
It was revealed that his sentence was further increased for the second time, reaching 13 years
Arrest