Manahel al-Qatabi's conviction for seeking an end to male guardianship is just the latest of a long list. A man who denounced corruption and human rights violations on social media was given a death sentence. Scores of people are serving “lengthy” prison terms.
A Saudi court's decision to sentence fitness influencer Manahel al-Otaibi to 11 years in prison highlights what activists describe as a fierce crackdown on even vaguely critical online speech.
A Saudi court's decision to sentence fitness influencer Manahel al-Otaibi to 11 years in prison highlights what activists describe as a fierce crackdown on even vaguely critical online speech.- Manahel al-Otaibi -
Otaibi, a 29-year-old blogger and fitness instructor, was arrested in November 2022.
Relatives of Saudis facing heavy sentences for social media posts are calling on the kingdom's de facto ruler to take action after he voiced shame over their cases. A Saudi official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, told AFP that harsh sentences for social media posts were the work of conservative judges who wanted "to embarrass the crown prince in front of the world."