The Kingdom Frees US Pensioner Imprisoned For Negative Social Media Posts
Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow US citizen Saad Almadi to come back to Florida, five months ahead of the planned removal of travel restrictions and a day after the kingdom's leader and head of government met Donald Trump at the White House.
Legal Case Overview
Almadi, 75, was given 19 years of imprisonment in the kingdom in 2021 after he posted 14 tweets opposing the Riyadh government. After 24 months, the allegations were modified to termed "cyber crimes" and he was sentenced to a 30-year ban on leaving Saudi Arabia.
"Our family rejoices that, after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is at last on his way home to the United States!"
The declaration that Almadi, a person with dual nationality and retired engineer who had resided in the US since the 1970s, would be free to leave the country came after the US president gave an address promoting US-Saudi ties, including weapons deals and investment deals.
Political Recognition
"This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration. We are extremely thankful to Dr Sebastian Gorka and the team at the national security council, as well as everyone at the state department," the statement continued.
The declaration by Almadi's son, Ibrahim Almadi, also expressed gratitude to various non-profit organizations, including the James Foley Fund and Hostages America, and House speaker Mike Johnson for backing the older Almadi's cause. He later posted on social media that his father was on his way to the US.
Wider Implications
Almadi is one of a handful of American dual citizens facing travel restrictions from Saudi Arabia following a clampdown on online dissent. His son has earlier stated that Almadi was coerced to sign papers renouncing his US citizenship.
The legal proceedings involving Almadi focused on social media posts in which he was accused of urged Saudi citizens to seek Lebanese citizenship and faulted the kingdom's defenses against Houthi rocket strikes.
Additionally, he expressed approval for the rededication of a street in the US capital after Jamal Khashoggi, the journalist and Washington Post columnist killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
Khashoggi Case
US intelligence reports released by the Biden administration later concluded that the crown prince had approved of a plan to "detain or eliminate" Khashoggi.
Questioned regarding the killing, Trump said the crown prince "was unaware" of Khashoggi's killing. The Saudi crown prince has denied any wrongdoing. He said at the White House that Saudi Arabia "did all the right things" to investigate Khashoggi's death, which he called "distressing" and a "huge mistake".
International Efforts
US diplomatic efforts to release Almadi and allow him to come back to the US has been increasing since Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia in May. Many appealed to Trump's assertion that he is particularly effective in repatriating US citizens detained overseas.
When questioned by journalists in May about the case, Trump said he wasn't aware about it but promised to investigate. A few weeks later, one of his security advisors, Gorka, met the younger Almadi at the White House.
"President Trump is the president of deals and he loves to do business with the Saudis and we will secure your father's release," Johnson said.