Earlier today, the judges confirmed the first sentence against Loujain Al-Hathloul regarding charges of “terrorist activities”. Loujain, a feminist activist, who recently released from prison on bail had said last week that she hoped the court would amend her sentence.

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.

Loujain Al-Hathloul was finally released on Wednesday night after spending 1001 days in prison. She had been framed under allegations of “espionage” and “conspiring” against the kingdom because of her activism for women’s rights and criticism of the Saudi authorities.

After spending more than one thousand days in detention, activist Loujain al-Hathloul is expected to be released on Thursday, according to a tweet by her sister. Loujain was convicted by Saudi authorities for “espionage” and “conspiring” against the kingdom when her activism brought her into the limelight.

Saudi women’s rights defender and prisoner of conscience Loujain al-Hathloul, who spent nearly three years in arbitrary pre-trial detention, sentenced to five years and eight months in prison after being charged with espionage foreign agendas and conspiring against the kingdom. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) urges the Saudi authorities to release her immediately. Being an activist and defending fundamental rights is not a crime.

٢٥ نوفمبر، جدة، المملكة العربية السعودية—بصوت خافت وجسد منهك جراء الإضراب عن الطعام، سجينة الرأي لجين الهذلول تحضر أولى جلسات محاكمتها وتقدم دفاعها القانوني أخيرا. لازال تحالف النساء العاملات بالصحافة قلق علي سلامة لجين ويطالب السلطات القضائية السعودية بإنهاء هذه المحاكمة الهزلية وإطلاق سراح لجين.

With a weak body and shaky voice, prisoner of conscience Loujain attended her trial today and was finally allowed to present her defense. The Coalition For Women In Journalism remains concerned about Loujain’s safety and calls upon the Saudi judicial authorities to end this farce trial and release Loujain.