Salma al-Shehab, a 36-year-old PhD student, has been released after her original sentence of 34 years was significantly reduced due to her peaceful advocacy for social reforms.
Saudi Activist Salma al-Shehab Released After Controversial Sentence Reduction
Saudi Activist Salma al-Shehab Released After Controversial Sentence Reduction
A Saudi academic, jailed for her online activism, has regained her freedom following legal appeals.
In recent developments, Salma al-Shehab, a 36-year-old Saudi PhD student at the University of Leeds, has been released from a Saudi Arabian prison after her extremely contentious sentence was markedly reduced. Initially arrested in 2021 during a visit to Saudi Arabia, Shehab faced a terrorism tribunal which sentenced her to six years, allegedly for "disturbing public order" and challenging the social stability of the kingdom through her social media posts advocating for reforms and the liberation of imprisoned activists.
In a surprising turn of events, this sentence escalated to a staggering 34 years. However, following appeals, her term was subsequently reduced first to 27 years and then to four years, with an additional four years suspended. While her release has been widely reported by activists and organizations such as ALQST, a UK-based Saudi rights group, there has been no confirming statement from Saudi authorities yet.
Shehab, who works as a dental hygienist and medical educator, was noted for posting messages in support of women's rights and for public figures detained in relation to their advocacy. Among her posts was a commendation for women’s rights activists labeled as "prisoners of conscience," aimed at shedding light on those arrested just before Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving in 2018.
Dana Ahmed, a representative from Amnesty International, criticized the charges against Shehab, denouncing them as politically motivated retaliations against her peaceful expression of women’s rights issues. While her release is a cause for celebration, Ahmed highlighted the ongoing plight of numerous others imprisoned under similar charges for their online expressions, including male and female activists who continue to face severe sentences.
As activists herald Shehab's release, the international community is reminded of the broader climate of repression in Saudi Arabia, where public dissent, particularly on social media platforms, is vigorously suppressed. The BBC has reached out for comments from the University of Leeds and the Saudi Foreign Ministry regarding this development, demonstrating the important dialogue surrounding human rights and freedom of speech in the region.
In a surprising turn of events, this sentence escalated to a staggering 34 years. However, following appeals, her term was subsequently reduced first to 27 years and then to four years, with an additional four years suspended. While her release has been widely reported by activists and organizations such as ALQST, a UK-based Saudi rights group, there has been no confirming statement from Saudi authorities yet.
Shehab, who works as a dental hygienist and medical educator, was noted for posting messages in support of women's rights and for public figures detained in relation to their advocacy. Among her posts was a commendation for women’s rights activists labeled as "prisoners of conscience," aimed at shedding light on those arrested just before Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving in 2018.
Dana Ahmed, a representative from Amnesty International, criticized the charges against Shehab, denouncing them as politically motivated retaliations against her peaceful expression of women’s rights issues. While her release is a cause for celebration, Ahmed highlighted the ongoing plight of numerous others imprisoned under similar charges for their online expressions, including male and female activists who continue to face severe sentences.
As activists herald Shehab's release, the international community is reminded of the broader climate of repression in Saudi Arabia, where public dissent, particularly on social media platforms, is vigorously suppressed. The BBC has reached out for comments from the University of Leeds and the Saudi Foreign Ministry regarding this development, demonstrating the important dialogue surrounding human rights and freedom of speech in the region.
