Timeline: Nassima al-Sadah is behind bars for 966 days

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Timeline: Nassima al-Sadah is behind bars for 966 days

Human rights activist, columnist, and co-founder of the Al-Adalah Center for Human Rights, Nassima al-Sadah, was detained by Saudi Authorities on July 30, 2018. Nassima is known for her dedicated efforts to establish women’s right to drive and vote. She also protests the male guardianship system that binds women to ask permission from their husbands, fathers, or even sons before making any necessary life decisions in Saudi Arabia. She has fiercely reported on violations of the Shia minority community in the country and was very active in training young people to advocate for their rights.

*View more details by clicking the year.

2011

  • Nassima was the first of few women to file a lawsuit claiming women should be allowed to stand in municipal elections.

2015

  • When women were allowed to participate in municipal elections for the first time, Nassima al-Sadah filed her nomination but was barred from taking part.

2018

  • July 30, 2018: Nassima was reportedly arrested on July 30, 2018. She was held in Mabahith prison in solitary confinement.
  • November 2018: Human Rights Watch reported the cruel assault of electric shock and lashings on at least three women activists in a Saudi jail. Though the identity of the activists was not revealed, concerns were raised regarding the treatment of Nassima al-Sadah in prison.
  • December 2018: Nassima was returned to general detention, but after a month, she was again thrown into solitary confinement. Nassima was reportedly forced to sign written confessions, but she refused to give in to the pressure.

2019

  • June 27, 2019: Nassima was summoned to Riyadh Criminal Court and was charged under the cybercrime law.
  • July 18, 2019: Nassima al-Sadah was charged for communicating with foreign entities hostile towards the state through her social media posts. The charges were based on her confessions of posting messages on social media, including Twitter.

2020

  • February 19, 2020: A secret trial session was held, and Nassima was summoned for a hearing. International observers were denied attendance at this session.
  • November 12, 2020: The Coalition For Women In Journalism demanded Saudi authorities free women prisoners of conscience Loujain Al-Hathloul, Nassima al-Sadah, Samar Badawi, Nouf Abdulaziz, and Mayaa AlZahrani.
  • November 25, 2020: Nassima was sentenced by the criminal court to five years and eight months in prison. The public prosecutor challenged the sentence, apparently seeking harsher punishment.