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 expression and activity.
In 2020, authorities arrested Al-Arkani, an imam, for communicating with prominent Turkish figure Yasin Aktay on the sidelines of a Muslim World League conference. Al-Arkani reportedly gave Aktay congratulatory messages for Eid after Aktay complimented Al-Arkani's recitation of the Qur'an at the conference. Al-Arkani was reportedly severely beaten during interrogations. He was also reportedly held in prolonged solitary confinement at Shaar Prison in Abha.
On an unspecified date, the Specialized Criminal Court reportedly sentenced Al-Arkani to five years in prison.
On an unspecified date, Al-Arkani's sentence was reportedly reduced to two years and six months in prison.
In October 2022, it was reported that an appeals court had resentenced Al-Arkani to 10 years in prison, despite his sentence nearing completion.
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in Saudi Arabia December 2022
Prisoners of Conscience, Tweet, October 26, 2022
معتقلي الرأي, Tweet, October 26, 2022
"Saudi Arabia- The Exchange of Greeting Leads to Imprisonment and Torture" Together For Justice