Saudi Judiciary Reports Continued Detention of Civil Activists in the Country

A month after the arrest of several civil activists in Saudi Arabia, the judiciary announced that the detainees have confessed to collaborating with the 'enemy.' The Saudi Public Prosecutor's Office stated in a statement released on Saturday evening, June 12, that the number of detainees is 17, and they have confessed to 'connections and collaboration with enemy individuals and organizations,' as well as 'attempting to access sensitive and confidential government documents' and 'providing material and moral support to enemy elements abroad.' According to the Saudi Public Prosecutor's statement, 8 of the accused, including five women and three men, have been temporarily released until the end of the investigations, while the other accused, including five men and four women, remain in custody. The Saudi judiciary did not mention the names or identities of the 17 accused, but human rights organizations have reported the detention of at least 11 civil activists in recent weeks, stating that most of the detainees are women involved in the campaign to lift the driving ban for women and fighting against male guardianship. The Saudi government has made civil reforms in recent months, and the ban on women driving is set to be lifted in three weeks; however, according to Reuters, the recent arrests have cast doubt on the implementation of this lifting. The recent arrests in Saudi Arabia have faced criticism from human rights organizations. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) recently called on Saudi officials to provide information about the charges against the detainees and to respect their legal rights. Liz Truss, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, stated, 'If it is determined that the detention of these individuals is solely due to their human rights activities, they must be released immediately.' However, conservative figures and organizations in Saudi Arabia have supported the recent arrests. The head of the 'Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice' in Saudi Arabia praised the actions of security and judicial authorities shortly after the Prosecutor's statement and warned individuals and groups targeting 'the security and stability of the government.' Saudi state-affiliated media have also recently accused the detainees of various offenses, referring to them as 'agents of embassies.' Reuters, citing diplomats and civil activists, suggested that the new wave of arrests may be aimed at calming conservative protests against reforms announced by Mohammed bin Salman or sending a clear message to activists not to pursue their demands outside the government's agenda. Saudi Arabia is the largest oil exporter and the second-largest oil producer in the world and is considered America's main ally in the Middle East.