Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan

Extra Bio Info:

Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan is imprisoned for his religious expression. 

In March 2018, security agents from the Presidency of State Security arrested Al-Sadhan for operating two anonymous Twitter accounts known for satirical critique of public officials, religious establishments, and the connection between religion and politics in Saudi Arabia. One account assumed the persona of a conservative religious cleric, inspired by a character from a famous Saudi comedy show. 

In April 2021, after a closed-door trial, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced Al-Sadhan to 20 years' imprisonment followed by a 20-year travel ban for “preparing, storing, and sending material prejudicial to religious values," among others related to his online activism.

During detention, Saudi authorities tortured Al-Sadhan. Authorities also failed to provide proper due process during his trial, denied him adequate legal counsel, and subjected him to prolonged periods of solitary confinement. Authorities held Al-Sadhan incommunicado for two years before being allowed to make a one-minute phone call to his family. Following that call, he was held incommunicado for another year, and on at least one occasion after that. Al-Sadhan is a former U.S. resident; his mother and sister are both U.S. citizens.