Additional Name(s): عمر المقبل
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Increased to 4 Years' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 6 Months' Imprisonment
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Expression
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Omar al-Muqbil is imprisoned for expressing religious views criticizing government policies.
In September 2019, it was reported that authorities had arrested al-Muqbil, a cleric, for criticizing concerts sponsored by the government’s General Entertainment Authority, calling them a threat to the country’s culture.
In September 2021, it was reported that the Supreme Court had increased al-Muqbil’s sentence to four years in prison after the Specialized Criminal Court had sentenced him to six months in prison.
In November 2023, the Sanad Rights Foundation reported that al-Muqbil continues to be held in prison, despite completing his sentence in September 2023.
"Continued detention of Dr. Omar Al-Muqbil for more than 4 years." Sanad Rights Foundation
2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saudi Arabia U.S. Department of State
معتقلي الرأي, Tweet, November 2, 2021
معتقلي الرأي, Tweet, September 21, 2021
Prisoners of Conscience, Tweet, September 10, 2019