Mohammed Issam al-Faraj
Additional Name(s): Mohammed Essam Al-Faraj, محمد عصام الفرج
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Health Concerns: High blood pressure
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: June/29/2017
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Children’s Rights Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Aid & Abetment Illegal Assembly Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Terrorism
Mohammed Issam al-Faraj
Extra Bio Info:
Mohammed Issam al-Faraj is imprisoned for his religious identity and religious freedom advocacy.
On June 29, 2017, authorities in Medina arrested al-Faraj for protesting the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens in al-Qatif. Authorities placed al-Faraj in solitary confinement for two months at Al Mabahith Prison, denied him access to legal counsel, and tortured him into signing a confession.
Authorities charged al-Faraj, 15 years old at the time, with various crimes dating back to when he was 9 years old, including participating in protests and funerals of individuals killed by the regime and chanting anti-government slogans. Prosecutors sought the death penalty.
The Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Faraj to 10 years' imprisonment.
Publicly Available Information:
- European Saudi organisation for Human Rights, Tweet, September 26, 2022
- “2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saudi Arabia” U.S. Department of State
- “Opinion No. 92/2020 concerning Mohammed Essam Al-Faraj (Saudi Arabia)” UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
- “Saudi Arabia: Alleged Child Offenders Face Death Sentences” Human Rights Watch
- “‘He was nine’: The Saudi minors still on death row despite royal decree” The Guardian
- “After long hiatus, court resumes trial of minors, and the prosecution insists the death penalty” European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR)
- “After announcing review of death sentences against three minors, Public Prosecution continues to seek execution of others, including three in one case” European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR)
- “منظمة حقوقية: السعودية تريد إعدام 5 شباب على خلفية أحداث القطيف” France 24