A human rights organization has announced the escalation of the sentence of a political activist in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Court of Appeals has increased the sentence of detained activist Khalid al-Amir on trumped-up charges from seven to nine years, according to the international group Tasnim, quoting Saudi Lex.
The appeals court decided to ban him from traveling for another nine years, without specifying the reason for the increase in his sentence.
According to Human Rights Watch, Attorney General Al-Qast continues to call for an increased sentence for Khalid al-Amir.
Al-Qusat Human Rights Organization stated that Al-Amir could face new cases related to his writings in prison, after which another prison sentence could be issued against him.
It is noteworthy that during his detention in Al-Haier prison, Khalid al-Amir revealed letters expressing his conviction in Saudi courts and his refusal to stand trial under the Anti-Terrorism Law and the Anti-Cybercrime Law.
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Al-Amir was assassinated on July 30, which the prison administration claimed would be followed up, but no explanation was given.
The Saudi activist was arrested in June 2018 after filing a complaint with the royal court against those responsible for torture in prison.
He was detained for several months without charge and went on a hunger strike to protest. He appeared in a specialized criminal court on September 8, 2020. The specialized criminal court sentenced him to seven years in prison, followed by a travel ban on April 25, 2021 , Condemned for his peaceful activities.
Rejecting the so-called “fight against terrorism” law in Saudi Arabia, he called on all prisoners of conscience to join him and abstain from food, as he believes this is the only thing prisoners in Saudi prisons can do to exercise their rights. Give.
Nabhan al-Hanshi, director of the al-Qast human rights organization, said the escalation of punishment was the latest in a series of crackdowns on Khalid al-Amir.
Al-Hanshi once again called on the international community not to remain silent in the face of these violations, and to urge the Saudi authorities to release Al-Amir and other prisoners of conscience immediately.
Al-Qassat went on to call on the Saudi regime to respect and protect freedom of expression. The regime was also asked to release Al-Umayr immediately and unconditionally, and to drop all destructive charges against him and all prisoners of conscience.
Neglect, harassment, and ill-treatment are commonly used against freedom of expression detainees in Al-Saud prisons, and their numbers have risen amid a wave of repeated detentions. Political prisoners are often exposed to a variety of ill-treatment, including physical and psychological abuse, harassment, solitary confinement, and denial of family contact.
