SHAFAQNA– Prominent Saudi women rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul who is in jail for more than a year has reportedly refused to walk free in exchange for denying that she underwent torture in prison.
Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor reportedly suggested Loujain al-Hathloul would be free if she signed a letter and made a video claiming that she was not subjected to torture and harassment in detention. According to Loujain’s brother Walid al-Hathloul although she accepted to sign the letter, Loujain still refused to appear on a video because “that does not sound a realistic demand”.
Loujain al-Hathloul who was arrested along with at least 10 women rights defenders in May 2018 right at the time their long-time campaign for an end to woman driving ban was being lifted in the Arab kingdom. Their arrest was part of a sweeping crackdown on the dissent by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Some of them stood trial later on charges related to their human rights activism and making contact with foreign diplomats and journalists. Those charges could land them at least five years in prison. In addition to those charges, Loujain is charged with attempt to destabilize the Saudi kingdom.
At least three jailed Saudi women including Loujain who were held in solitary confinement for months say they were subjected to various torture including electric shocks, beating and sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Walid al-Hathloul claims Saud al-Qahtahi -a then advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed who reportedly ordered the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year- was also present at the time of torture sessions and even threatened Loujain with rape and death.
Some of those detained women testified before a judge in Riyadh in March 2019 that they were physically and sexually abused in prison.
Saudi officials have denied allegations of torture against female activists and claim they were made to harm KSA’s interests abroad.
Source: The Guardian, The Telegraph
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