Saudi cartoonist detained and sentenced under cybercrime laws
Name(s):
Mohammed Ahmed al-Ghamdi (pen name : al-Hazzaa)
Status:
Detained
Year of birth:
1978
Profession:
Cartoonist and teacher
Nationality:
Saudi
Date of arrest:
Mohammed al-Ghamdi is a Saudi artist, cartoonist, and teacher who was arrested on February 13, 2018 in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia, and charged in relation to his artistic and online expression, including alleged criticism of government policies and the production of artwork deemed “offensive” to the Kingdom. Initially sentenced to six years of imprisonment and a travel ban, his sentence was later reduced on appeal, with reports indicating a subsequent increase of his sentence to 23 years following secret proceedings in early 2024.
Mohammed al-Ghamdi is a Saudi artist, cartoonist and teacher whose artwork focuses on economic issues, family dynamics, and broader socio-economic themes. Al-Ghamdi was arrested on February 13, 2018 by State Security Presidency (SSP) officers in a cafe in al-Baha, near the school where he was teaching at the time. After his arrest, al-Ghamdi was permitted to make a single phone call to a family member, after which his relatives lost contact with him for more than 50 days.
Following his transfer to Dhahban Central Prison in Jeddah, al-Ghamdi has been detained incommunicado on several occasions, with his family remaining unaware of his condition for extended periods of time. His health has severely deteriorated due to medical neglect and denial of adequate treatments by authorities.
The first hearing of al-Ghamdi took place before the Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) in Riyadh on June 8, 2021. During this hearing, he was informed about the charges pressed against him for the first time under Clause (1) of Royal Order No. A/44 dated 3/4/1435 as well as Article 6 (1) of the Anti-Cybercrime Law for “sympathizing with Qatar”, “communicating with individuals hostile to the Kingdom”, “opposing Saudi policy regarding the diplomatic boycott of Qatar”, as well as “producing, preparing, and transmitting material prejudicial to public order through social media platforms”, including approximately 100 “offensive” cartoons. Al-Ghamdi was sentenced to six years in prison and a travel ban of the same duration.
Al-Ghamdi’s appeal before the Specialised Criminal Court of Appeal (SCCA) on September 13, 2021 resulted in a reduced sentence of three and a half years and a travel ban of the same duration.
Recent developments suggest that al-Ghamdi’s sentence was increased to 23 years in early 2024, following what is believed to be a secret retrial whose details and proceedings have not been disclosed to his family.
On January 27, 2026, MENA Rights Group, ALQST for Human Rights, Artists at Risk Connection, Cartooning for Peace and Cartoonists Rights submitted al-Ghamdi’s case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
| Name(s): |
Mohammed Ahmed al-Ghamdi (pen name : al-Hazzaa)
|
| Status: |
Detained
|
| Year of birth: |
1978
|
| Profession: |
Cartoonist and teacher
|
| Nationality: |
Saudi
|
| Date of arrest: |
|
Mohammed al-Ghamdi is a Saudi artist, cartoonist and teacher whose artwork focuses on economic issues, family dynamics, and broader socio-economic themes. Al-Ghamdi was arrested on February 13, 2018 by State Security Presidency (SSP) officers in a cafe in al-Baha, near the school where he was teaching at the time. After his arrest, al-Ghamdi was permitted to make a single phone call to a family member, after which his relatives lost contact with him for more than 50 days.
Following his transfer to Dhahban Central Prison in Jeddah, al-Ghamdi has been detained incommunicado on several occasions, with his family remaining unaware of his condition for extended periods of time. His health has severely deteriorated due to medical neglect and denial of adequate treatments by authorities.
The first hearing of al-Ghamdi took place before the Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) in Riyadh on June 8, 2021. During this hearing, he was informed about the charges pressed against him for the first time under Clause (1) of Royal Order No. A/44 dated 3/4/1435 as well as Article 6 (1) of the Anti-Cybercrime Law for “sympathizing with Qatar”, “communicating with individuals hostile to the Kingdom”, “opposing Saudi policy regarding the diplomatic boycott of Qatar”, as well as “producing, preparing, and transmitting material prejudicial to public order through social media platforms”, including approximately 100 “offensive” cartoons. Al-Ghamdi was sentenced to six years in prison and a travel ban of the same duration.
Al-Ghamdi’s appeal before the Specialised Criminal Court of Appeal (SCCA) on September 13, 2021 resulted in a reduced sentence of three and a half years and a travel ban of the same duration.
Recent developments suggest that al-Ghamdi’s sentence was increased to 23 years in early 2024, following what is believed to be a secret retrial whose details and proceedings have not been disclosed to his family.
On January 27, 2026, MENA Rights Group, ALQST for Human Rights, Artists at Risk Connection, Cartooning for Peace and Cartoonists Rights submitted al-Ghamdi’s case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
