In brief
Salma al-Shehab has been released from a Saudi prison following a controversial sentence linked to her online activism. Her case underscores the challenges faced by those advocating for reform in the kingdom, amid a broader crackdown on dissent.
A Saudi PhD student at the University of Leeds has been granted her freedom after a drastic reduction of her previous lengthy prison sentence, according to multiple activist sources. Salma al-Shehab, a 36-year-old mother of two, was initially arrested while on a holiday in Saudi Arabia in 2021. Her detention was a result of her social media activities, which the authorities deemed to "disturb public order" and "destabilize the social fabric." Originally sentenced by a terrorism tribunal to six years in prison, Shehab’s punishment was shockingly escalated to 34 years—a decision met with widespread condemnation. Following appeals, however, her sentence was reduced first to 27 years, and ultimately to four years, with an additional four years suspended. Activists, including the UK-based rights group ALQST, reported her release, emphasizing that she had endured "four years of arbitrary imprisonment" due to her peaceful advocacy.Her case shines a light on the broader crackdown on dissent initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in recent years, with many activists receiving harsh sentences for expressing critical views online. Salma, who was in her final year at the University of Leeds' School of Medicine, had previously used social media to campaign for reform and support other activists, including those detained during the earlier stages of women's rights movements in Saudi Arabia.Amnesty International's Middle East researcher, Dana Ahmed, articulated that Shehab's conviction stemmed solely from her tweets advocating for women's rights and promoting fellow activists. Although her release is seen as a victory, Ahmed calls it a sobering reminder of the many others still imprisoned for similar reasons. Among them are women like Manahel al-Otaibi and Nourah al-Qahtani, who face severe penalties for their stances on gender equality.The case continues to attract international scrutiny, and the BBC has reached out to both the Saudi foreign ministry and the University of Leeds for further comments amid the ongoing dialogue regarding human rights in the kingdom.
