Waleed abu al-Khair

Additional Name(s): وليد أبو الخير

Gender: Male

Current Location: Dhahban Prison, Jaddah

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Health Concerns: Diabetes, chronic condition requiring special diet

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: April/15/2014

Date of Sentencing: July/6/2014

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Legal Work for Religious Communities

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence Insulting Public Officials & Institutions Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition

Waleed abu al-Khair

Extra Bio Info:

Waleed abu al-Khair is imprisoned for his religious freedom advocacy.

In April 2014, authorities arrested al-Khair for legally defending religious prisoners of conscience, including Raif Badawi, and for criticizing the government's persecution of peaceful dissidents.

In July 2014, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Khair to 15 years' imprisonment, imposed a 15-year travel ban following his release, and fined him 200,000 riyals. The Court found him guilty on six charges: “Seeking to discredit State legitimacy;” “Abusing public order with respect to the State and its officials;” “Inflaming public opinion and disparaging and insulting judicial authority;” “distorting the kingdom’s reputation, making international organizations hostile to the kingdom, and issuing unverified statements that harm [its] reputation” “founding an unlicensed organization;” and violating Saudi Arabia's anti-cybercrime law.

Saudi authorities held al-Khair incommunicado for three months from April to July 2016, physically assaulted him, deprived him of sleep, and denied him legal counsel and access to essential medication. Al-Khair went on a hunger strike to protest his mistreatment and medical neglect by prison authorities.

Related Case: Raif Badawi

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