The number of detained journalists in Saudi Arabia has tripled since 2017

Many human rights groups in Saudi Arabia have reported that the number of journalists detained in the country has tripled since 2017.

According to Saudi Leaks, human rights groups have stressed that the number of journalists detained in Saudi Arabia has tripled since 2017, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took office.

Many detained journalists in Saudi Arabia have been subjected to mental and physical torture or solitary confinement, human rights groups say.

According to human rights groups, Saudi officials use the same kind of torture against journalists as other freedom of expression detainees in their prisons, including physical torture and medical malpractice, and prevent journalists from communicating with the outside world or monitoring all their activities. They are also deprived of the right to appoint a lawyer and are subject to confidential trials, as well as solitary confinement and imprisonment without charge, trial and severe punishment.

Violations of the rights of journalists and other prisoners of liberty in Saudi prisons demonstrate a clear disregard for the provisions of the Saudi Code of Criminal Procedure. The Saudi regime claims to comply with public and international law, which is denied by the continued detention of 31 journalists without charge. In addition to journalists, the detention of many missionaries, academics, activists and human rights defenders is increasing.

In addition, the Saudi regime is using the army of electronic flies to conduct extensive electronic campaigns to weaken the opposition on social media.

“Ali Al-Omari”, “Fahd Al-Sunidi”, “Adi Banama”, “Khalid Al-Alkami”, “Walid Al-Hawirini”, “Sami Al-Thabiti”, “Ahmad Al-Suwyan”, “Malik Al-Ahmad”, “Jamil Farsi”, “Mohammad Saud Al-Bashir”  Turki Al-Jasser, Marwan Al-Marisi and Nasima Al-Sada are among the most prominent journalists detained.

An international human rights organization has accused the Saudi regime of continuing its policy of threatening and repressing journalists by expulsion, imprisonment or even murder.

The Saudi European Organization for Human Rights says the Al-Saud regime continues to censor news and deny individuals and journalists access to information, which is a major obstacle to their mission of transmitting information and creating public opinion.

Since 2017, when Muhammad bin Salman came to power and dominated most of the fundamental rights, she has launched the largest campaign against freedom of expression. The crackdown includes critical Saudi journalists and government executions following brutal trials and the torture of detainees by a group of people directly linked to Mohammed bin Salman, making Saudi Arabia one of the most insecure countries in the world in terms of human rights.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest countries in imprisoning journalists on charges of “conspiracy against the monarchy” and “collaborating with foreign institutions,” and its judicial procedures are vague and no charges have been filed against many imprisoned journalists.