Saudi Preacher Salman Al-Ouda: Years in Solitary Confinement Amid International Calls for Release
Detained Since 2017 Without Trial, Al-Ouda Faces Harsh Conditions as Pressure Mounts on Saudi Authorities.
Watan-Saudi preacher Salman Al-Ouda remains in solitary confinement since his arrest in 2017, in conditions described by human rights organizations as a blatant violation of human rights. He was detained as part of a widespread crackdown targeting advocates of free speech and has been imprisoned under Mohammed bin Salman’s rule without any judicial verdict to date, despite growing international calls for his release.
His son, academic and Saudi dissident Abdullah Al-Ouda, confirmed that his father is being held in harsh conditions inside a solitary cell, without a fair trial or even adequate medical care, leading to a severe deterioration in his health, including partial loss of vision in one eye. Despite Saudi authorities’ promises of reform, his case remains unresolved with no signs of a near-term solution.
Sheikh Salman Al-Ouda: Unjust Charges and Ongoing Detention
Sheikh Al-Ouda faces 37 fabricated charges, including incitement to sedition and terrorism—charges typically used by the Saudi regime against political dissidents and independent clerics. The Specialized Criminal Court suspended his trial proceedings in 2021 without explanation, reflecting the judiciary’s repressive approach toward political prisoners in the kingdom.
In recent months, Saudi authorities have begun releasing some prisoners of conscience under increasing international pressure, but Salman Al-Ouda has not been among them. Observers believe Riyadh is using detainees as bargaining chips, particularly as Mohammed bin Salman seeks to bolster his image on the global stage ahead of his anticipated ascension to the Saudi throne.
Growing Pressure for Sheikh Al-Ouda’s Release
Human rights organizations and international campaigns continue to demand Al-Ouda’s release, describing his detention as systematic torture, especially given the ongoing solitary confinement and restrictions on visits and family communication. Rights activists expect that international pressure may push Saudi authorities to either release him under conditions or improve his detention circumstances.
As criticism mounts, the key question remains: Will Salman Al-Ouda be among those released soon, or will Mohammed bin Salman persist in his crackdown until the very end?
