Salma al-Shehab, a doctoral candidate at Leeds University, has been released from a Saudi prison, according to human rights advocates. The 36-year-old activist faced a devastating 34-year sentence for her tweets, which advocated for women’s rights. Arrested during a family holiday in January 2021, she endured almost ten months of solitary confinement, where she was extensively interrogated before her trial.
Initially sentenced to six years in March 2022, her punishment escalated to 34 years after an appeal. This extreme decision sparked global outrage toward Saudi Arabia’s treatment of activists. However, after multiple legal battles, her sentence was reduced to four years last September, now with a four-year suspension.
Human rights group Alqst announced her release, emphasizing that her imprisonment was arbitrary and solely based on her peaceful activism. They urged that she should now have the freedom to travel and continue her studies. In solidarity, Shehab and several other women protested through a hunger strike in 2023, highlighting their dire conditions behind bars.
Salma al-Shehab, a UK doctoral candidate, has been released from a Saudi prison after facing a severe sentence for her activism on social media. Initially sentenced to six years, her punishment was dramatically increased but later reduced to four years with a suspension. Human rights groups have campaigned for her freedom, emphasizing her unjust treatment and the need for further rights protection.
Salma al-Shehab’s release marks a significant moment for human rights advocacy in Saudi Arabia. After enduring a tumultuous legal journey and unjust imprisonment, her case underscores the struggle faced by activists in the kingdom. The calls for her complete freedom and right to pursue her education reflect the ongoing tensions surrounding women’s rights in the region.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
