Saudi Activist Arrested for Describing Prison
| August 21, 2012 |
On August 8th, Saudi dissident Faheed Saad al-Otaibi was arrested while leaving his home, soon after he published a YouTube video describing his personal experience in Saudi prisons. In the video, he addressed the families of Saudi detainees, encouraging them to fight for their rights.
Al-Otaibi’s knowledge of Saudi prisons came after his arrest in an incident known as the “Camel Case.” He and several young men were picked up in the desert by Saudi authorities on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks. The youths denied this accusation, claiming that they were in the desert to drink camel milk. Al-Otaibi spent a year and four months in prison.
Saudi activists have supported al-Otaibi’s right to speak about his prison experience, and have popularized his story on Twitter:
فهيد سعد العتيبي
" عبدالله السعيد (@abdulllah1406) August 18, 2012#أبوجمانة اضرب عن الطعام بعد اعنقاله من قبل البحث الجنائي ... وبعد اضراب دام ايام تم تحويله لسجن الملز وملفه لهيئة التحقيق
“Faheed Saad al-Otaibi, #Abu Jumana, began a hunger strike after his arrest by security services. After days on strike, he was transferred to the al-Malaz prison and his case is under investigation.”
" شيحان الشمري (@ShehanMa) August 18, 2012
#اعتقال فهيد العتيبي رعونة من رعونات الحكومة الكثيرة، أين الإنسانية -لا أقول: الشريعة-؟.
“The #arrest of Faheed al-Otaibi is yet another reckless act committed by the government. Where is the humanity? And I’m not asking, where is the Sharia law?”
