A Saudi woman was sentenced to 34 years in prison for following and posting posts by “dissidents” and activists on Twitter. Watchman reports on.
Among other things, she allegedly posted posts from a prominent Saudi feminist activist who was previously in prison and now living under a travel ban, and was allegedly tortured for her support of women’s rights to drive. The woman is said to have also posted leaflets from activists and other “dissidents” living in exile calling for the release of political prisoners.
The 34-year-old worked as a dental hygienist and medical educator, and came to the UK around 2018 to study for a PhD at the University of Leeds. She also worked as a lecturer at Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In December 2020, she returned to Saudi Arabia for vacation, where she was summoned for questioning by the Saudi authorities about her tweets. The woman was arrested and eventually brought to justice.
She was initially sentenced to three years in prison for “inciting public disorder and undermining civil and national security”. But the attorney general asked the court to consider additional alleged crimes, and on Monday the appeals court handed down the new ruling: 34 years in prison followed by a 34-year travel ban.
The woman may be able to file a new appeal in the case.
Read also: Twitter employee spied for Saudi Arabia
Read also: Filmmakers arrested in Iran
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