Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Truss urged to act after Saudis jail UK student for 34 years on tweets

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Aug 2022 19:12
3 Min Read

Britain has a duty to speak out about Salma Al-Shehab, a UK student jailed for 34 years in Saudi Arabia over Twitter use, according to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

  • x
  • Plea for Liz Truss to act after Saudis jail UK student for 34 years.
    UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has been urged to intervene in the "outrageous" case of a Leeds University student sentenced to 34 years in prison in Saudi Arabia for using Twitter.

Labour MP for Leeds Central Hilary Benn said the UK had a "duty" to press for the release of Salma Al-Shehab, a Saudi national who had lived in the UK and was detained after returning to see her family last year.

Al-Shehab, who has two young children, was initially jailed for three years for allegedly “causing public unrest” and “destabilizing civil and national security” after appearing to support activists and dissidents on Twitter.

However, an appeals court handed down a new sentence last week - 34 years in prison followed by a 34-year travel ban - after a public prosecutor requested that the court consider other alleged crimes.

She described being abused and harassed behind bars, telling a Saudi court that she was subjected to interrogations after being given medications that rendered her exhausted. Amnesty International demanded her "immediate and unconditional release."

Related News

Saudi Arabia jails another woman for using Twitter

US raises 'significant concerns' over Saudi sentencing of activist

In a letter to Truss, Benn says the UK must intervene and calls on her to “make representations to the Saudi authorities” for Al-Shehab “so that she can be freed to return to her family and to her studies."

He said the case is “completely at odds with Saudi Arabia’s claim to be improving human rights,” writing, “It seems that all she has done is use her Twitter account to support women’s rights and greater freedom and to call for the release of imprisoned activists in Saudi Arabia.”

While Saudi Arabia calls for reform and liberalization, it contradicts its statements by imprisoning a woman for expressing her right of having an opinion and preaching it. The Kingdom's "reform" and "liberalization" lack the most important aspect, freedom of speech and expression. 

Benn reiterated this, saying, “Saudi Arabia says, ‘we’re reforming the country.’ You can’t on the one hand say, ‘we are opening up and liberalising the country,’ and on the other hand send a woman to prison for expressing her opinions on Twitter."

On its part, Leeds University commented, saying, “We are deeply concerned to learn of the recent development in Salma’s case and are seeking advice on whether there is anything we can do to support her. Our thoughts remain with Salma, her family, and her friends among our close-knit community of postgraduate researchers.”

Al-Shehab was in the final year of PhD studies in the School of Medicine, focusing on improving dental treatment for patients with disabilities.

Read next: UN denounces Saudi 34-year sentence against female activist over tweet

  • Salma al-Shehab
  • Liz Truss
  • Mohammed Bin Salman
  • United Kingdom
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS