Free Saudi human rights activist Waleed Abulkhair

This video is called Human Rights Lawyer In Saudi Arabia Gets 15 Years.

From Avaaz.org:

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Nayef Al Saud: Release Human Rights Activist Waleed Abulkhair

Why this is important to me

Waleed Abulkhair was jailed because of defending human rights in Saudi Arabia and for practising his simplest right in freedom of speech.

Abulkhair was facing two trials. On February 4, 2014, the Court of Appeals in Mekkah, approved a 3-month sentence for charges of contempt of the judiciary against Abulkhair. However, Waleed remained free.

On April 15 2014, Waleed got arrested in the Specialized Criminal Court when he was attending the fifth session of the trial. His family did not receive any news about him until the next day, when his wife went to the court and was told that he had been arrested and sent to Al-Ha’ir Prison. His wife then visited Al-Ha’ir Prison and was denied speaking to him.

The second trial of Abulkhair started on November 4, 2013 and the charges included breaking allegiance to the ruler, disrespecting the authorities, creating an unauthorized association and supervising it (MHRSA), contributing to the establishment of another (ACPRA) and inciting the public opinion. These charges had already been considered in Jeddah Court at the first trial which issued his 3-month sentence.

On 22 April 2014, one week after his arrest, his wife said that he was under “torture for political purposes.”

On July 7, 2014, Abulkhair was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, followed by 15 years of ban on travel. The Specialised Criminal Court in Jiddah found him guilty of “undermining the regime and officials”, “inciting public opinion” and “insulting the judiciary.” In addition, Abulkhair was fined 200,000 riyals (£31,110).

The ruling was criticized by international human rights organizations such as HRW and Amnesty International. In addition, it was criticized by both the U.S. Department of State and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Posted August 31, 2014

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