The wife of Ahmed al-Doush, a British citizen detained in Saudi Arabia, has made an urgent appeal for his release, citing his declining health and the harsh conditions of his imprisonment. Al-Doush has been incarcerated since 2024, apparently due to social media posts made several years prior.
His legal team in the United Kingdom and his family have been denied access to any legal documents pertaining to his case, including the court's judgment, leaving them with an incomplete understanding of the charges and conviction. Haydee Dijkstal, his London-based lawyer, stated that al-Doush appears to have been questioned over tweets posted in 2018 about Sudan, his country of birth, and for his association with the son of a Saudi dissident living in the UK. He was reportedly held for five months without charge and interrogated without legal counsel before his sentencing.
In May 2025, Saudi Arabia's Specialised Criminal Court sentenced al-Doush to 10 years in prison, reportedly for using social media to spread false information against the government. Human rights organizations have described the court as a tool for political suppression, utilizing broad counterterrorism and cybercrime laws to punish online expression. His sentence was reduced to five years on appeal in April.
According to Amnesty International, al-Doush is being held in overcrowded conditions, with a cell designed for six to eight people housing approximately 16 inmates. His phone calls home have been frequently restricted, and he has been warned against discussing his health or legal case. Eilidh Macpherson of Amnesty International UK described his situation as a "nightmare" resulting from social media posts that would be considered innocuous in democratic nations.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed that al-Doush's case has been raised with Saudi authorities. Current UK travel advice for Saudi Arabia warns that public statements deemed disruptive to public order by the authorities are illegal. It also advises against commenting on the royal family, the Saudi government, or potentially political issues, noting that such statements can be interpreted as a threat to national security. The advice further states that past social media activity, even if posted years ago or outside Saudi Arabia, can be considered in legal proceedings and may result in lengthy prison sentences.
Amnesty International is calling on the Saudi authorities to release al-Doush immediately and allow him to return to his family in the United Kingdom. The organization also urged governments worldwide to update their travel advisories to inform visitors of the risks associated with their past social media activity, especially as Saudi Arabia prepares to host major international events, including the 2034 World Cup.