A 75-year-old Florida retiree, Saad Almadi, has been convicted of cyber crimes in Saudi Arabia due to social media posts that criticized the country's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. According to Almadi's son, Ibrahim, a ruling on September 14 found him guilty of distributing content that undermines public order, resulting in a three-year sentence. However, since he had already spent over a year in jail following his arrest in 2021, he will not serve additional time. The ruling also imposed a travel ban preventing Almadi from leaving Saudi Arabia until March of next year.
The Saudi government, which does not recognize dual citizenship, has intensified its crackdown on perceived dissent, particularly from critics of its leadership. This case, involving Almadi, reflects a broader pattern wherein several American citizens have faced similar exit bans, as highlighted by the issues raised by his son. Ibrahim Almadi believes that these actions are designed to silence his family and others to avoid disrupting the crown prince's diplomatic efforts to rehabilitate his image abroad.
Almadi was arrested during what was supposed to be a brief visit to Saudi Arabia to see family. Upon arrival, he was confronted by officials with tweets he had made over the years, including comments about the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the crown prince’s consolidation of power. Initially sentenced to more than 19 years for terrorism-related charges linked to his tweets, he was later released after over a year, as the government dropped the terrorism charges but maintained the exit ban preventing his return to Boca Raton, Florida.
As reported, Almadi's situation has drawn some attention within the U.S. government. The State Department acknowledged it is monitoring his case, providing consular services and maintaining contact with his family, although specific comments were limited due to privacy considerations. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made it a priority to advocate for Americans held abroad, acknowledged he was unaware of Almadi's plight but expressed a willingness to review the situation.
During a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump remarked positively about Crown Prince Mohammed, establishing a strong relationship that had persisted despite the controversies surrounding the prince, notably the Khashoggi murder. Such statements align with Trump's broader foreign policy approach, which seeks to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia amid international scrutiny. Trump's family has long-standing business connections with the kingdom, further complicating the dynamics of political advocacy and human rights concerns.
Abdullah Alaoudh, from the Middle East Democracy Center, is documenting cases of Americans facing exit bans in Saudi Arabia. He has identified at least four others in similar circumstances, indicating a concerning trend as these individuals navigate the complexities of U.S.-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in Middle Eastern geopolitics, particularly concerning its status as a leading oil producer and its influence in regional conflicts involving nations such as Iran and Yemen.
While Almadi's case has gained some attention, it highlights the broader issues of human rights in Saudi Arabia, where dissent is often met with severe repercussions. Despite being a major ally of the United States, the kingdom's record on individual liberties remains a contentious topic in diplomatic discussions, especially as it seeks to maintain its strategic partnerships with western nations.
