In brief
A Saudi PhD student, Salma al-Shehab, has been freed after her sentence for online activism was dramatically reduced from 34 years to just four. The medical educator and mother, who was detained during a holiday in Saudi Arabia for advocating women's rights, had faced harsh penalties under the country's anti-terrorism laws. Activist groups call for her complete freedom while highlighting ongoing repression faced by countless others in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia's unhappy history with dissent continued when Salma al-Shehab, a 36-year-old PhD student from the University of Leeds, was recently released from prison after her harsh sentence was slashed. Initially serving six years for "disturbing public order," her term escalated to a staggering 34 years. Following appeals, the sentence was finally reduced to four years - with an additional four suspended. Salma's case brings to light the broader issues of free speech in Saudi Arabia, which has seen numerous peaceful activists imprisoned. Shehab, who has called for reforms and the release of detainees, was first arrested in 2021 while visiting Saudi Arabia. Her release has been celebrated by human rights organizations like ALQST, who emphasize that she should be allowed to travel and complete her studies. The ongoing struggle for digital rights and women's rights in the kingdom continues, posing serious concerns for activists still behind bars for similar offenses.
