Absender
Absender
Absender
Germany

Minister of Justice
Walid bin Mohammad Al-Sama’ani
Postal Code 11472, P.O. Box 7775
Riad
Saudi-Arabien

										Datum Datum Datum

Manahel al-Otaibi

Dear Minister,
fitness influencer and activist Manahel al-Otaibi has been detained since 16 November 2022 and was sentenced in January 2024 after a secret trial to eleven years imprisonment for publishing hashtags in support of women’s rights on Twitter and posting photos on Snapchat of herself wearing „immodest“ clothing.
On 21 August 2025 Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court resentenced her to five years imprisonment, followed by a five-year travel ban.
In al-Malaz prison Manahel al-Otaibi has been tortured and severely maltreated. Further she was repeatedly subjected to months-long enforced „disappearance“.
Manahel al-Otaibi suffers from multiple sclerosis. According to a report she does not receive adequate medical care.
In all courtesy I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Manahel al-Otaibi, as she has been convicted solely for exercising her right to freedom of expression.
Pending her release, she must be granted immediate access to medical care.
Finally I urge you to order an impartial investigation into the allegations of torture, ill-treatment and „disappearance“ and to bring those responsible to justice.
Respectfully!