Additional Name(s): Lina al-Sharif, لينا الشريف, Lina al-Shareef
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: May//2021
Date of Release: November//2025
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Online Activity Women’s Rights
Nature of Charges: Terrorism
Lina Alsharif
Extra Bio Info:
Lina Alsharif was detained in relation to religious freedom advocacy.
In May 2021, officials from the Saudi Presidency of State Security raided Alsharif’s home in Riyadh, arrested her, and forcibly disappeared her for two months reportedly in relation to her social media activity, which included discussing Saudi politics as well as advocating for human rights, including women’s rights, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and freedom for prisoners of conscience.
On September 21, 2021, authorities responded to a request for information from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, confirming that Alsharif was being detained under Articles 2 and 19 of the Law on Combating Terrorism Crimes and its Financing.
In May 2025, Saudi authorities released Alsharif from prison.
Publicly Available Information:
- Middle East Democracy Center, Tweet, May 19, 2025
- Photo used with permission from MENA Rights Group
- “Free social media activist Dr. Lina Alsharif” ALQST
- “Saudi medical doctor, Lina Alsharif, arbitrarily detained in Riyadh since May 2021” MENA Rights Group
Additional Name(s): Ali Mujtaba al-Mozain, على مجتبى المزين
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 8 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: February/10/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism
Mujtaba al-Muzain
Extra Bio Info:
Mujtaba al-Muzain is imprisoned for his religious freedom advocacy.
On an unspecified date, Saudi authorities arrested al-Muzain for protesting in Al-Qatif governorate against the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens and for documenting these protests on social media. Authorities charged him with violating Royal Decree 44/A of 2014, forced him to sign a confession, and called for the death penalty.
In February 2021, the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced al-Muzain to eight years' imprisonment.
Publicly Available Information:
- 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saudi Arabia U.S. Department of State
- “Six activists, including Israa al-Ghomgham, sentenced to lengthy prison terms” ALQST
- “Two years after start of trial: Violations and delay in the case of six activists; four face the death penalty” European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR)
- “Saudi Arabia: 'Relief' at withdrawal of death penalty against female activist” Amnesty International
- “Saudi Activists Face the Death Penalty” Amnesty International
Additional Name(s): Ali Uwayshir, Ali Ouwaisher, علي عويشير
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: February/10/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Terrorism
Ali al-Ouwaisher
Extra Bio Info:
Ali al-Ouwaisher is imprisoned for his religious freedom advocacy.
On an unspecified date, Saudi authorities arrested al-Ouwaisher for protesting in Al-Qatif governorate against the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens and for documenting these protests on social media. Authorities charged him with violating Royal Decree 44/A of 2014, forced him to sign a confession, and called for the death penalty.
In February 2021, the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced al-Ouwaisher to 10 years' imprisonment.
Publicly Available Information:
- 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saudi Arabia U.S. Department of State
- “Six activists, including Israa al-Ghomgham, sentenced to lengthy prison terms” ALQST
- “Two years after start of trial: Violations and delay in the case of six activists; four face the death penalty” European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR)
- “Saudi Arabia: 'Relief' at withdrawal of death penalty against female activist” Amnesty International
- “Saudi Activists Face the Death Penalty” Amnesty International