Saudi cleric arbitrarily detained for denouncing discrimination faced by Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a minority
Timeline
November 26, 2020: The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issues Opinion No. 86/2020, stating that Al Habib is being detained arbitrarily and calling on the authorities to immediately release him.
May 11, 2020: Eight UN special procedures mandate holders expressed their concern at the persecution and ongoing detention of Sheikh Mohammad bin Hassan Al Habib for his human rights advocacy and activism.
March 2020: The Saudi Supreme Court upholds Al Habib’s conviction.
February 6, 2020: MENA Rights Group seizes the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD).
December 15, 2019: The five-year prison sentence is upheld on appeal.
August 26, 2019: Sentenced by the Special Criminal Court (SCC) to 5 years in prison.
June 25, 2019: MENA Rights Group requests intervention of UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.
April 30, 2018: Additional charges brought against him.
January 4, 2018: Appeal chamber of the Special Criminal Court sentences him to seven years in prison on account of “sectarianism” and “calling people for sedition”.
July 8, 2016: Arrested at the Khafji border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
December 2012: Forced to sign a pledge not to give sermons that could be considered objectionable.
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