Saudi Arabia: Saudi Professor detained without charge for nearly four years

An outspoken professor of Religious Science at a University in Riyadh, 50 year old Dr Bachr bin Fahd Al-Bachr, remains detained in Al-Hayr prison suffering from a precarious health situation. Dr Al-Bachr had long since been targeted by the Saudi authorities over his criticism of the Saudi government's policies, only to be arrested by the Saudi Investigative Police on 15 March 2007 in Riyadh. To date, he has spent 3 years and 9 months detained in Saudi Arabia without charge or trial.

Since his arrest, Alkarama has been closely following Dr Al-Bachr's case. On 23 December 2010, Alkarama called on the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary detention to remind Saudi Arabia that his continued arbitrary detention constitutes a serious violation of Saudi Arabia's obligations under national as well as international law. Alkarama calls for the immediate release of Dr Al-Bachr.

Background information

On the evening of 15 March 2007, around 15 officers of the Saudi Investigative Police (Al-Mabahith Al-Amma) in plain clothes and civilian cars came to Dr Al-Bachr's place of residence to arrest him. Without being shown a warrant or being advised of the reason for his arrest, he was taken to an unknown location. Despite numerous attempts to get information regarding Dr Al-Bachr's fate and whereabouts from the Saudi authorities, his family was left with no news for the following 9 months.

Detention conditions and ill-treatment

In December 2007, Dr Al-Bachr was allowed to receive a single visit from his family. Detained in Al-Alisha detention centre, he was subjected to ill-treatment and held in prolonged solitary confinement. After this one visit, his family was again unable to directly communicate with Dr Al-Bachr for months. During this period, his detention conditions further deteriorated. He continued to be detained in isolation and was transferred to a freezing underground cell. He was kept handcuffed and blindfolded over long periods of time. Despite his alarming health condition, Dr Al-Bachr never received appropriate medical treatment.

Current situation

Recently, Dr Al-Bachr was transferred to Al-Hayr prison near Riyadh. He receives monthly visits from his family, however Dr Al-Bachr still does not have access to legal counsel, nor has he been brought before a judge since his arrest. He has been detained for 3 years and 9 months without being charged, sentenced and without knowing when he will be released.