Palestinian Journalist Hatem Al-Najjar’s Arrest Sparks Outcry: Demands for Justice Amidst Human Rights Concerns
Watan-The name of the Palestinian journalist and host of the “Mura’ba” podcast on the “Thmanyah” channel, Hatem Al-Najjar, has resurfaced on social media platforms once again amidst human rights demands to disclose his fate after being arrested in the Kingdom in January of last year due to old tweets he posted.
The human rights organization “SAND” published a statement stating: “Multiple sources have confirmed the arrest of the Palestinian journalist and presenter of the ‘Mura’ba’ podcast on the Thmanyah channel, Hatem Al-Najjar, due to previous tweets he posted while he was under the age of 18.”
The organization added that Hatem Al-Najjar’s arrest came after an intensive online campaign in early January 2024 that targeted his account on the “X” platform.
تأكد لمنظمة سند الحقوقية من عدة مصادر اعتقال الإعلامي الفلسطيني ومقدم بودكاست مربع في قناة ثمانية #حاتم_النجار بسبب تغريدات سابقة نشرها وهو دون سن الـ18. pic.twitter.com/yVHtBbMExn
— منظمة سند الحقوقية (@sanadUK) March 18, 2024
Re-circulation of tweets by Hatem Al-Najjar
Accounts then began to circulate his old tweets dating back to the reign of King Abdullah, in which he expressed his views on several issues.
As a result of this campaign, Hatem Al-Najjar was arrested, and activists had previously circulated news of his arrest.
According to available information from SAND, the activist has been detained since mid-January 2024 in Al-Ha’ir Prison in Riyadh. There is currently no information available about the conditions of his detention or the charges against him.
The human rights organization strongly condemned the arrest of journalist Hatem Al-Najjar, stating that it represents a grave violation of basic human rights.
SAND demanded the immediate release of Al-Najjar without conditions.
ساءتني تغريدات قديمة لي نُشرت هذه الأيام، وشعرت بشديد الندم من طيش واندفاع حاتم المراهق الذي لم يتجاوز عمره حينها 18 عامًا.
أعترف أن تصوراتي عن الحياة وقتها كانت قاصرة، وكنت أقل نضجًا من اليوم.وكأي شاب نشأ على حب الوطن الذي غمرني بخيراته وأفضاله، أقول لكم بقلبٍ صادق، وامتنانٍ…
— حاتِم النجّار (@HatemD90) January 14, 2024
It called on the Saudi authorities to cease arbitrary arrests of citizens and residents on its territory for merely expressing their opinions.
Watan monitored some of the tweets previously written by Hatem Al-Najjar, which seem to have been the reason for his arrest and enforced disappearance, including his strange post praising Mohammed bin Salman, known for his human rights violations.
Authorities under Mohammed bin Salman have conducted arrest campaigns targeting activists and celebrities, confiscating the assets of many, including businessmen, all under pretexts and charges that observers confirm are aimed at suppressing freedoms.
