Saudi activist Loujain Al-Hathloul released from prison

MENA

Published: 2021-02-11 09:58

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 02:25


Saudi activist Loujain Al-Hathloul released from prison
Saudi activist Loujain Al-Hathloul released from prison

Late Wednesday, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent women's rights activist was released from prison after over 1,000 days on the inside.

On Twitter, Hathloul's sister, Lina Hathloul expressed her happiness that her sister has been released. "Loujain is at home!!!!" she said.

 

 

Dec. 28, The Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh ordered the imprisonment of prominent Saudi activist Loujain Al-Hathloul for five years and eight months, after convicting her of inciting regime change and serving outside parties, according to Saudi media


Also Read: Saudi activist Loujain Al-Hathloul sentenced to five years, eight months in prison


Hathloul was arrested May 2018 in a collective targeting of those who opposed Saudi Arabia's law which prohibited women from driving, which has since been overruled.

Notably, local media outlets, including the newspaper "Sabq" that attended the session, stated that the court convicted Al-Hathloul, who has been arrested since May 2018 along with other activists under the "Law on Combating Terrorism Crimes and its Financing."

According to CNN, Hathloul will remain on probation for three years following her release. According to statements from Hathloul's family, she could easily be arrested once more for any perceived illegal activity, and will also be prohibited to travel for five years.

Hathloul's release from prison came in less than a week after the Washington called on Saudi Arabia to release political prisoners, including women's rights activists. US President Joe Biden vowed to pressure the Kingdom into enhancing its rights record.

Notably, her family urged indiviuals to refrain from saying that Hathloul has been "freed, " adding that "any release that does not include an independent investigation of the charges, does not include lifting the travel ban, does not include dropping the charges, is not freedom, (...) Therefore we're far away from justice."