Saudi opposition figure returns to Riyadh after 20 years in exile

10 years ago

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Saudi opposition activist, Kassab Al-Otaibi returned to the kingdom after 20 years in exile.

Al-Otaibi announced his return in a post to his Twitter account which read: “After 20 years in exile, I find myself on my way to Riyadh. 20 years of successes and failures and memories. I return to my home and my mother.”

Al-Otaibi, 45, left Saudi Arabia in 1994 and moved to London where he joined opposition leaders, Mohammad Al-Massari and Saad Al-Faqih who founded the Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights but he later left the organisation.

He has repeatedly criticised the Saudi regime; however the intensity of his criticism reduced after then-interior minister – and current deputy crown prince, Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef ordered the transfer of Al-Otaibi’s father in a private jet for medical treatment abroad before his death late last year.

Al-Otaibi thanked Prince Mohammed.

Saudi officials were not immediately available for comment on the activist’s return.