Prominent writer and human rights activist Fahad al-Fahad has been detained since 6 April 2016 on charges related solely to his writing and peaceful activities. In June 2017, the Specialised Criminal Court, Saudi Arabia’s ‘terrorism tribunal’, sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment, a ten-year travel ban and a ban on writing and media work.

According to reports, ‘the judgment does not indicate the length of the ban on writing, but the Saudi judge said in the courtroom that the ban was for life’. The charges against al-Fahad include ‘violating the Saudi cybercrime law via tweets criticising the Saudi criminal justice system and government corruption’ and ‘inciting hostility against the state, its structure, and its justice systems’.

PEN calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately release al-Fahad and all other writers currently detained in Saudi Arabia in connection with the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and assembly, in accordance with international standards including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Write to the authorities

• Urging the Saudi Arabian authorities to release Fahad al-Fahad and all other activists held solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression;
• Calling for al-Fahad’s sentence of imprisonment as well as the ban on writing and travel to be overturned immediately as they violate his basic human rights;
• Calling on Saudi Arabia to ratify, without reservation, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

King and Prime Minister His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques
Office of His Majesty The King Royal Court, Riyadh – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: (via Ministry of Interior) +966 11 403 3125 Twitter: @KingSalman
Salutation: Your Majesty

Minister of Justice
His Excellency Dr. Walid Bin Muhammad Al-Samaani
Ministry of Justice, P.O. Box: 7775
Postal Code: 11427
Riyadh – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: +966114057777
E-mail : minister-office@moj.gov.sa / info@moj.gov.sa
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Interior
His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif
Ministry of the Interior P.O. Box 2933,
Airport Road, Riyadh 11134 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: +966 11 403 3125 Twitter: @MOISaudiArabia
Salutation: Your Highness