A Yemeni journalist has entered his fifth year in prison in Saudi Arabia, drawing renewed condemnation from rights advocates who say his detention reflects a wider crackdown on free expression in the kingdom.

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) said Ali Mohsen Abu Luhoum was arrested outside his home in the southern city of Najran in August 2021 without a warrant or due process. Two months later, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison on charges tied to anonymous social media accounts accused of spreading atheistic views and insulting religious symbols.

Abu Luhoum has consistently denied any link to the accounts, while WJWC said prosecutors failed to present conclusive evidence. His sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeal in January 2022, raising questions about the fairness of proceedings and the presumption of innocence.

According to the group, Abu Luhoum was held incommunicado during the first weeks of his detention and denied access to legal counsel until a lawyer was appointed a month later. His family has since spoken of the psychological toll on him and the hardship they continue to face.

“This case is emblematic of the systematic repression faced by journalists and peaceful activists in Saudi Arabia,” WJWC said in a statement. “It reflects a deliberate attempt to silence dissenting voices and punish the exercise of free expression.”

The organization stressed that Abu Luhoum’s continued imprisonment violates Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which guarantee freedom of opinion and expression.

Call for International Action

WJWC urged Saudi authorities to release Abu Lahoum immediately, drop all charges, and provide redress for the harm caused by his detention. It also called for the reform of domestic legislation, including the Anti-Cybercrime Law, to bring Saudi Arabia’s legal framework in line with international human rights standards.

The group appealed to the United Nations, regional organizations, and international partners to apply effective pressure on Riyadh to end the persecution of journalists and ensure a safe environment for free expression.