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Home / Urgent Action Network / Urgent Action: DEATH SENTENCE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS COMMUTED (Saudi Arabia Second UA 85.23)
DEATH SENTENCE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS COMMUTED
UA: Second 85.23 Saudi Arabia
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On September 24, 2024, the appeals chamber of Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) commuted Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi’s death sentence for his social media posts, resentencing him to 30 years in prison, a ludicrously harsh punishment for exercising his right to free expression. Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, a 55-year-old retired teacher, was sentenced to death by the SCC on July 9, 2023 for his peaceful online activity on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. He was convicted on trumped up terrorism charges for posts in which he criticized the Saudi King and Crown Prince and Saudi’s foreign policy, called for the release of detained religious clerics and protested increased prices. Amnesty International calls on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: May 13, 2025
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While I welcome the news that the unjust death sentence against Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi has been commuted, I am distressed to learn that the appeals chamber of the SCC has resentenced him to 30 years in prison and that he remains in detention for his online expression.
According to the verdict and charge sheet reviewed by Amnesty International, Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi was convicted under articles 30, 34, 43 and 44 of Saudi’s counterterrorism law, including for posts in which he criticized the Saudi King and Crown Prince and Saudi’s foreign policy, called for the release of detained religious clerics, and protested increased prices, all of which are views protected under his right to freedom of expression. He is not accused of any violent crime.
I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi as he has been convicted solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Sample Social Post
1/4 Good news – Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal quashed the death sentence against Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi for his social media posts. However he was resentenced to 30 years in prison. He must be immediately released.
2/4 On 9 July 2023, Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, a 55-year-old retired teacher, was sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court in #SaudiArabia on trumped-up terrorism charges for his online activity on Twitter and YouTube.
3/4 The charge sheet based on which al-Ghamdi was convicted, cited several tweets including posts in which he criticized the Saudi King and Crown Prince and Saudi’s foreign policy, called for the release of detained religious clerics, and protested increased prices.
4/4 Despite promises of progress to address their atrocious human rights record, #Saudi authorities have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for any critical speech. @MojKSA must act now to immediately and unconditionally release al-Ghamdi and all individuals detained solely for expressing themselves.
Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. We also encourage you to email them and post on your social media. Contact the Saudi Ambassador to the United States via the Web Contact Form listed below.
Send your letter to:
Walid bin Muhammad Al-Sama’ani, Minister of Justice
When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.
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