Activists report that Salma al-Shehab, a 36-year-old Saudi PhD student, has been released from prison following a significant reduction in her controversial sentence, which stemmed from her peaceful activism on social media. After initially being sentenced to 34 years, her term has been reduced to four years, with an additional four years suspended. Al-Shehab was arrested during a trip to Saudi Arabia in 2021, and her case has raised considerable human rights concerns amid the kingdom's intensifying crackdown on online dissent.
Saudi PhD Student Salma al-Shehab Released After Controversial Sentence Reduction
Saudi PhD Student Salma al-Shehab Released After Controversial Sentence Reduction
A Saudi Arabian mother and student at the University of Leeds, Salma al-Shehab, is liberated after a dramatic reduction in her prison sentence linked to her social media posts.
The University of Leeds student was first jailed by a terrorism tribunal for allegedly "disturbing public order" due to critical posts advocating for reform and the release of imprisoned activists. After her arrest, she faced a rollercoaster of legal challenges, leading to sentences that rights groups argue are excessive and tied to her freedom of expression. Activists from ALQST, a UK-based human rights organization, have called her imprisonment arbitrary and demanded her complete freedom, including the right to resume her studies in the UK.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s regime has seen a marked increase in repression against dissenters, with peaceful protestors and social media users often receiving harsh penalties, including life sentences or even death. Al-Shehab's case highlights the broader narrative of Saudi Arabia's treatment of critics and advocates for women's rights, alongside others like Manahel al-Otaibi and Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, who also face severe legal repercussions for their expressions online.
While her recent release has been welcomed with joy, activists continue to bring attention to the plight of others who remain imprisoned under similar circumstances in Saudi Arabia. As the global community reflects on Al-Shehab's case, many continue to advocate for justice and human rights in the kingdom.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s regime has seen a marked increase in repression against dissenters, with peaceful protestors and social media users often receiving harsh penalties, including life sentences or even death. Al-Shehab's case highlights the broader narrative of Saudi Arabia's treatment of critics and advocates for women's rights, alongside others like Manahel al-Otaibi and Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, who also face severe legal repercussions for their expressions online.
While her recent release has been welcomed with joy, activists continue to bring attention to the plight of others who remain imprisoned under similar circumstances in Saudi Arabia. As the global community reflects on Al-Shehab's case, many continue to advocate for justice and human rights in the kingdom.
