Manchester based British national Ahmed al-Doush been sentenced to 10 years in prison in Saudi Arabia

It is unknown to Ahmed’s family and UK legal team what the charges were for

He has faced multiple violations to his fair trial rights

Amnesty International has documented the Saudi authorities’ increasing crackdown on freedom of expression

Manchester based British national Ahmed al-Doush, a senior business analyst with Bank of America, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following his arrest by Saudi authorities on 31 August 2024 on a family holiday to the country.

His domestic lawyer in Saudi Arabia has refused to share with Ahmed’s family what the sentencing was for. Five months after his arrest, Ahmed was told that charges would be issued against him for using social media to spread fake, untrue and damaging news against the Kingdom, and that he was accused of having a relationship with an individual who threatened the Kingdom's national security.

Based on the questions asked during his extensive interrogations, his family believes these accusations may relate to a 2018 tweet he made concerning the situation in Sudan, with no mention of Saudi Arabia, which he then deleted, and that the second accusation is related to his alleged association with a Saudi critic in exile with whom he has no relationship beyond knowing his son.

Since his arrest, Ahmed has faced multiple violations to his fair trial rights. He was subjected to extensive interrogation without a lawyer present and before being informed of the charges against him. For over two months after his arrest, his family had no contact with him and received no information about his condition or the reasons for his detention, and he was also denied consular access. Since then, his contact with his family and UK based legal team has continued to be severely restricted.

His wife was pregnant at the time of his arrest and he therefore missed the birth of his fourth child.

Amnesty International has documented the Saudi authorities’ increasing crackdown on freedom of expression, targeting both citizens and foreign nationals, many of whom have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. 

Commenting on the news of the sentence, Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, said:

“We strongly condemn this sentence and reiterate our urgent call on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ahmed al-Doush, if he is being held solely for peacefully exercising his human rights. He must be allowed to return to his family in the UK without delay. In the meantime, Saudi authorities must uphold his fair trial rights, promptly share his court documents with him and guarantee regular access to both his family and legal counsel.

"We also urge the UK government to take all necessary steps to secure his immediate and unconditional release. The arbitrary detention of another British national abroad cannot be tolerated. Immediate and decisive action is essential.”