Saudi dissident says Riyadh has arrested more human rights activists

The Saudi Arabian academic and opposition figure Saeed Bin Nasser Al-Ghamdi has revealed that the authorities in Riyadh have recently arrested another thirteen activists because of their “human rights activities and communication with activists abroad.” He did not reveal the names of those detained.

“The state is trying to spread a rumour about foreign intelligence that led to setting them up [the 13 detainees], which are usual claims of unjust regimes, and that actually do us the good of confirming that repression is the cornerstone of the rule,” he tweeted.

Al-Ghamdi pointed out that “the number of those communicating with their brothers abroad is more than the state can imagine, and is wider than it could realise.”

Last September, Saudi opposition figures in exile announced the establishment of an opposition political party called the National Assembly Party, amid an increasing crackdown on dissent in the Kingdom. The London-based human rights coalition was to be led by Yahya Asiri, and its members include academic Madawi Al-Rasheed, the US-based Abdullah Al-Awda and Omar Bin Abdulaziz, who lives in Canada, as well as Al-Ghamdi himself.

This party was the first public political bloc organised against the Saudi authorities during the reign of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, in a country with an absolute monarchy which does not allow any political opposition. Those who express anti-regime opinions either implicitly or explicitly are generally arrested.

Dozens of activists and politicians have been forced into exile. However, the authorities in Riyadh pursue them and their families, even abroad.

In September 2017, the Saudi authorities arrested prominent imams and activists in the country, most notably Salman Al-Odah, Awad Al-Qarni and Ali Al-Omari, on charges of committing “terrorist” acts and conspiring against the state. They remain in prison despite demands from international and Muslim personalities and organisations for their release.

READ: Repression in Saudi Arabia in full force despite release of prisoners, says HRW