Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from prison

Social Activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from prison

Loujain al-Hathloul, one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent women’s rights campaigners, has been released after more than 1,000 days in prison for what critics have described as politically-motivated charges. Ms Hathloul was released on Wednesday after almost three years in detention, but she is subject to a travel ban and forbidden from speaking to the media.

Hathloul, 31, was arrested in a May 2018 sweep that targeted well-known opponents of the kingdom’s since-rescinded law barring women from driving. Last December, Riyadh’s Specialized Criminal Court — a terror tribunal — sentenced Hathloul to five years and eight months in prison, including a two-year and 10-month suspension, according to a statement released by her family. With the time she had already served, the sentencing paved the way for Hathloul’s release on Wednesday. The family of Loujain al-Hathloul says she will seek to bring to justice those she accuses of torturing her in prison. “What we want now is real justice,” her sister Lina told an online news conference. “That Loujain is completely, unconditionally free.” They want the travel ban lifted, reparations for time spent in prison, and Saudi newspapers held accountable for what they say was a campaign of defamation.

But above all Loujain al-Hathloul wants those who she maintains tortured her in prison held accountable. Chief among them, she claims, is Saud al-Qahtani, the former close aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The family say they will pursue all legal means at their disposal.