Location: Saudi Arabia
Date: March 3, 2021

Saudi women rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul attended the first hearing of her appeal since her release. Loujain spent nearly three years in a Saudi prison for charges of espionage and activism against the kingdom. Loujain was sentenced to six years imprisonment in December 2020. Due to international pressure, her lengthy pre-trial detention was considered a sentence fully served, and Loujain was set to be released in March. Later, her sister shared the news of her early release.

Lina Hathloul shared the video of Loujain stating, “My love @LoujainHathloul walking to court today for her appeal. The first time she gets there not handcuffed and blindfolded.” The video circulating online shows Loujain walking away to attend her arraignment. During the hearing, the prosecution demanded the judge revoke the suspension and impose an extension to the activist’s sentence.

During the trial, Loujain maintained her stance that she did not commit any crime based on the kingdom’s national or international laws. The judge probed her about communication with foreign parties, to which Loujain insisted that it was legitimate under the kingdom’s laws. Loujain also requested her defense be allowed to present the witnesses to prove her claims. The activist’s demand was denied by the judge.

At one point in the hearing, the judge asked Loujain, “who would do justice to the society for disruption and noise her case has caused.” Loujain, hurt by the judge's remarks, responded, “how would I do justice to society when it was not done to me in regards to the torture.” The judge then reluctantly retracted his comment.

Loujain’s release was commended globally. The Biden administration also extended a congratulatory message, but Lina Hathloul clarified her sister’s circumstances, stating that the trial remains ongoing. Loujain is still barred from travelling abroad, as is her family.

During her detention, Loujain was not allowed to speak to her family. To protest the ill-treatment, she went on a hunger strike in October of last year. Her family reported that Loujain faced inhumane torture in prison. They also accused prison authorities of sexual harassment. Loujain’s outspoken activism for women's right to drive drew the kingdom's wrath, leading to the harrowing treatment she suffered in prison.

The next hearing of her case will take place on March 10. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is closely following Loujain’s case. We once again urge authorities to acquit Loujain from the charges and lift the restrictions imposed on the activist and her family. CFWIJ appeals to the UN and other human rights organizations to continue their calls on the Saudi regime to end the torture and harassment against Loujain.

The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.

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