SAUDI WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST LOUJAIN AL-HATHLOUL FREED

Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has been released after almost three years in prison, her family said.

"Loujain is at home," her sister, Lina, wrote on Twitter, along with a picture showing both women while holding a video call, Nehal El-Sharif and Cristina Maza reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) on February 11, 2021.

Al-Hathloul spent "1,001 days in prison," her sister added. She was detained in May 2018 along with other activists. Most of them were campaigning for the right to drive, which was granted one month later. "Loujain is out. Loujain is free!" al-Hathloul's brother, Walid, also said.

"Loujain al-Hathloul's release after a harrowing ordeal in prison in Saudi Arabia — lasting nearly three years — is an incredible relief, but long overdue," Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Lynn Maalouf said in a statement.

“She should never have been forced to spend a single second behind bars. She has been vindictively punished for bravely defending women's rights in Saudi Arabia, and for exercising her right to freedom of expression," Maalouf added.

Al-Hathloul was convicted of committing acts criminalized under the anti-terrorism law, including incitement to change the political system and pursuing foreign agendas online to harm the public order. Rights groups have accused the court of holding unfair trials and handing down lengthy jail sentences to human rights activists.

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