Video: The Case of Jailed Saudi Activist Mohammed al-Bejadi

Independent journalist Iman al-Qahtani has produced this short video to highlight the case of Mohammed al-Bejadi, a Saudi activist who was sentenced to four years in jail followed by a five-year travel ban after a secret trial in early 2012. Amnesty International said at the time that the trial “demonstrates a blatant disregard for his fundamental rights.” He was featured on Foreign Policy last October as one of the unsung heroes who fight injustice in their countries but don’t make the headlines. Al-Bejadi, 35, is a co-founder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA). His fellow co-founder Mohammed Fahad al-Qahtani appears in the video to talk about the case. Al-Qahtani, along with a third founding member of the group, Abdullah al-Hamed, are on trial for their political activism.

Amnesty Says Saudi Govt Must Respect People’s Right to Protest→

Amnesty International reacts to the Saudi Interior Ministry statement that was issued on October 11:

“The Saudi authorities must end their repeated moves to stifle people’s attempts to protest against the widespread use of arbitrary detention in the country,” said Philip Luther, Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Program.

“The right of people to peaceful protest must be respected and the security forces must refrain from detaining or using excessive force against people who exercise it.”

Amnesty seems unhappy that the ministry grouped al-Bajady with terrorism suspects. The organization considers him to be “a prisoner of conscience.” Saudi journalist Bader al-Rashed said such grouping “is not innocent at all.” ♦

Muhammad al-Bajady, Unsung Saudi Hero→

Foreign Policy features activist Muhammad al-Bajady, a co-founder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), as one of the unsung heroes who fight injustice in their countries but don’t make the headlines. Al-Bajady, 35, was arrested in March 2011 after he took part in a peaceful protest outside the Ministry of Interior for the release of long-term detainees without trial. He was sentenced to four years in jail after a secret trial in early 2012 in which he was not allowed to get a lawyer. ♦