Additional Name(s): Moussa al-Hashim, موسى الهاشم

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 17 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/6/2015

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

Mousa al-Hashim

Extra Bio Info:

Mousa al-Hashim is imprisoned for his religious identity and religious freedom advocacy.

In December 2015, Saudi authorities arrested al-Hashim along with his wife, a well-known Shi'a activist, for protesting the state's mistreatment of Shi'a citizens. They charged him with “chanting slogans hostile to the regime,” “attempting to inflame public opinion,” “filming protests and publishing on social media,” and “providing moral support to rioters,” among others. Prosecutors pushed for al-Hashim's execution.

In February 2021, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Hashim to 17 years' imprisonment.

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Additional Name(s): إسراء الغمغام

Gender: Female

Current Location: General Intelligence Prison, Dhamam

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Increased to 13 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 8 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/6/2015

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

Israa al-Ghomgham

Extra Bio Info:

Israa al-Ghomgham is imprisoned for her religious identity and religious freedom advocacy.

In December 2015, Saudi authorities arrested al-Ghomgham, a well-known Shi'a activist, along with her husband for protesting the state's mistreatment of Shi'a citizens. Prosecutors charged her with “chanting slogans hostile to the regime,” “attempting to inflame public opinion,” “filming protests and publishing on social media,” and “providing moral support to rioters,” among others. 

In February 2021, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Ghomgham to eight years' imprisonment followed by an eight-year travel ban. In October 2022, an appeals court increased al-Ghomgham's sentence to 13 years' imprisonment.

Saudi authorities mistreated al-Ghomgham and denied her access to legal counsel during detention, while prosecutors pushed for her execution during trial.

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Additional Name(s): Ali Hamza Al Omari, علي حمزة العمري

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: September/9/2017

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Terrorism

Ali al-Omari

Extra Bio Info:

Ali al-Omari is detained for his religious activity and leadership role.

In September 2017, authorities arrested al-Omari, an Islamic scholar, talk-show personality, and chairman of TV channel 4Shbab, amid a wave of arrests targeting prominent religious figures, journalists, activists, and academics. Al-Omari's television channel was known to promote moderate religious values and discuss other religions. In September 2018, prosecutors charged al-Omari with 30 criminal offenses, including "forming a terrorist youth organization," and sought the death penalty.

During detention, Saudi authorities tortured al-Omari in order elicit a confession. Authorities also placed him in solitary confinement for fifteen months and denied him access to legal counsel for the first year of his detention.

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