Additional Name(s): عبدالمجيد الأركاني
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Increased to 10 Years' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Abdul Majeed Al-Arkani is imprisoned for his religious activity and expression.
In 2020, authorities arrested Al-Arkani, an imam, for being friendly with a prominent Turkish figure, Yasin Aktay, during a Muslim World League conference. At the time, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were in diplomatic conflict.
Authorities Al-Arkani was reportedly severely beaten during interrogations. He was also reportedly held in prolonged solitary confinement at Shaar Prison in Abha.
In October 2022, as his two-year and six-month prison sentence neared completion, an appeals court increased his sentence to 10 years' imprisonment.