Saudi women’s rights defender sentenced to 11 years in prison for social media activism
Timeline
April 14, 2024: Al-Otaibi called a member of her family and informed them that she is being held in inhumane conditions in solitary confinement, with a broken leg.
January 9, 2024: Al-Otaibi is sentenced to 11 years in prison for terrorist offences.
December 14, 2023: MENA Rights Group and ALQST for Human Rights submit Manahel's case to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, requesting her urgent intervention.
November 29, 2023: MENA Rights Group and ALQST for human rights submit an urgent appeal to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
November 5, 2023: Al-Otaibi’s calls her relatives one last time, after which she is being denied any contact with them for an extended period.
July 26, 2023: Another hearing before the Specialised Criminal Court is scheduled but cancelled on the day of.
July 19, 2023: Al-Otaibi appears before the Specialised Criminal Court. The trial is adjourned without justification, nor a new trial date.
January 18, 2023: First hearing of al-Otaibi before the Criminal Court of Riyadh. The case is dismissed and transferred to the Specialized Criminal Court.
November 16, 2022: Manahel al-Otaibi is summoned to the Al-Sahafa police station for interrogation about her social media activity.