Manahel al-Otaibi

Additional Name(s): مناهل العتيبي

Gender: Female

Current Location: al-Malaz Prison

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Health Concerns: Broken leg

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Reduced to 5 years' imprisonment, including a 5-year travel ban

Sentence: Originally 11 years' imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November//2022

Date of Sentencing: January//2024

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Online Activity Religious Appearance Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights

Nature of Charges: Immorality Terrorism

Manahel al-Otaibi

Extra Bio Info:

Manahel al-Otaibi is imprisoned for her religious freedom advocacy.

In November 2022, Saudi authorities arrested al-Otaibi, an online fitness influencer, for opposing religiously grounded dress code and male guardianship laws. Prosecutors accused her of “inciting Saudi girls to denounce religious principles and rebel against the customs and traditions of Saudi society.

In January 2024, after a secret trial, judicial authorities sentenced al-Otaibi to 11 years’ imprisonment for protesting the country's male guardianship system on social media, attending shops without wearing a traditional dress (abaya), and spreading "false or malicious rumors for committing a terrorist crime." In August 2025, the Specialized Criminal Court overturned al-Otaibi's 11-year jail term but handed down a new 5-year sentence, including a 5-year travel ban. 

During detention, Saudi authorities broke her leg while beating her and denied her access to medical care. On separate occasions, authorities also placed her in solitary confinement for at least two weeks, prohibited communication with her family for over a month, and disappeared her for over five months.

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