On 18 June 2012, human rights defender Dr Mohammad Al Qahtani was brought before the Riyadh Court of First Instance to face eleven criminal charges related to his human rights work.
Mohammad Al Qahtani is a prominent human rights defender and a founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), a leading human rights organisation in Saudi Arabia.
The list of charges brought against Mohammad Al Qahtani include: taking part in the establishment of an unlicensed association; seeking to undermine state policies; providing false information about Saudi Arabia to the UN human rights mechanisms; inciting international organisations against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and agitating them to criticise the civil, political, economic, social and cultural pillars of the country; mobilising public opinion against the security institutions and senior officials by accusing them of human rights violations including killings, torture, and enforced disappearances; dubbing the Government of Saudi Arabia as a police state; accusing the judiciary of injustice; questioning the integrity and religion of the senior clergy in the country; insulting state officials and questioning their integrity; seeking to create strife and schism in society; rebelling against the ruler and his heir apparent; and preparing and storing information detrimental to public order. If convicted, Mohammad Al Qahtani could face up to 30 years in prison as a result of these charges. Moreover, he has been banned from travelling since 18 March 2012.
The trial of Mohammad Al Qahtani is part of an ongoing campaign of prosecution of human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia. Dr Abdalla Al Hamid, a founding member of ACPRA, is also facing charges in relation to his human rights work and Mohammad Al Qahtani is a member of his defence team. A week prior to his trial, while attending court proceedings as part of Abdalla Al Hamid’s defence team, Mohammad Al Qahtani was ordered to present himself before the same court to face the charges listed above. In addition, the president and founding member of ACPRA, Dr Abd Al Karim Yousuf, is currently being investigated by the public prosecution and it is feared he may face similar charges as those brought against Mohammad Al Qahtani. The trials of Dr Al Qahtani and Dr Al Hamid have been adjourned until 1 September 2012.
Front Line Defenders believes that the ongoing campaign of judicial harassment of ACPRA members, along with the targeting of other human rights groups in the country – including arbitrary arrests and trials – are intended to put an end to their peaceful and legitimate human rights work at a time of increased reports of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia.