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 his role as a prominent religious figure.

On September 9, 2017, authorities arrested al-Omari, an Islamic scholar, talk-show personality, and the 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 religious, social and political issues.

MENA Rights Group reports that al-Omari was subjected to 15 months of solitary confinement after his arrest.  It also says that he was denied access to legal counsel for the first year of his detention and that he was tortured in order elicit a confession.

In September 2018, al-Omari's trial began before the Specialized Criminal Court.  He was reportedly charged with 30 criminal offenses, including "forming a terrorist youth organization." At the time, prosecutors were reportedly seeking the death penalty.

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