Injustice Behind Bars: The Imprisonment of a Saudi Psychiatrist

Saudi Arabia: Psychiatrist Jailed after Salary Dispute Likely Unfair Trial, Arbitrary Detention on ‘Terrorism’ Charges

An Unjust Imprisonment

Human Rights Watch has reported that an Egyptian doctor, Sabri Shalabi, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Saudi Arabia for his alleged involvement with the banned Muslim Brotherhood. The case raises serious concerns about an unfair trial and arbitrary detention, as the charges against Shalabi appear to be based largely on forced confessions and may be retaliation for a work-related dispute.

According to court documents reviewed by Human Rights Watch, Shalabi was sentenced to 20 years under article 34 of Saudi counterterrorism law for “expressing sympathy with a terrorist organization” and 12 years under article 33 for “joining a terrorist organization,” specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, which Saudi Arabia declared a terrorist organization in 2014. The appeals court later reduced the sentence for “expressing sympathy” to 10 years and dropped the other charge.

The case revolves around allegations that Shalabi had been receiving a lower salary than he was entitled to for years of work as a psychiatrist in Saudi Arabia. After winning a court case against the Saudi Health Ministry seeking compensation for the unpaid salary, Shalabi found himself targeted by the authorities. The prosecution of Shalabi raises concerns that he may have been targeted in retaliation for claiming the money owed to him by the government.

A Work-Related Dispute?

Shalabi had been working at the Tabuk General Health Directorate in northwest Saudi Arabia from 2006 until 2019. In 2016, he discovered that he had been receiving a lower salary than he deserved due to a bureaucratic error. He filed a lawsuit against the Health Directorate to rectify the issue and was successful. The court ordered the directorate to pay Shalabi his unpaid salary covering the years 2006-2019.

However, the directorate appealed the decision, fired Shalabi, and issued a final exit visa, forcing him and his wife to leave the country. Shortly before an appeals court decision in his civil case, Shalabi was detained by plainclothes police who confiscated his devices and detained him without charge for three days. He was later informed by the authorities that he would be charged with expressing sympathy with the banned Muslim Brotherhood and voting for Mohamed Morsi, the Brotherhood’s presidential candidate in the 2012 elections.

Shalabi’s family and Egyptian embassy representatives were denied entry to the sentencing hearing, further raising concerns about the fairness of the trial. After his sentencing in August 2022, Shalabi’s family hired a lawyer who successfully appealed the sentence. However, Shalabi remains in prison as he awaits the outcome of an additional appeal to the Supreme Court.

Arbitrary Detention and Abuse

Shalabi has been subjected to arbitrary detention and alleged physical and psychological abuse while in prison. He has been held in prolonged solitary confinement, which can amount to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. He went on a hunger strike and was hospitalized for several weeks as a result.

Furthermore, Shalabi has been denied medical treatment for severe back pain, asthma, diabetes, and cataracts that developed while in prison. Saudi authorities have refused to allow him to see a neurologist, even at his own expense, to address his back pain.

A Wider Pattern of Human Rights Abuses

The case of Sabri Shalabi is not an isolated incident but rather part of a wider pattern of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. Human Rights Watch has frequently documented the Saudi government’s use of vague provisions in counterterrorism laws and anti-cybercrime laws to punish individuals solely based on peaceful speech and actions. These actions are in clear violation of the country’s international human rights obligations.

This case highlights the significant challenges faced by individuals seeking justice and fair treatment in Saudi Arabia, particularly when it comes to navigating a legal system that shows little regard for due process and fundamental human rights.

Recommendations and Conclusion

Saudi Arabia must be held accountable for its flagrant abuse of counterterrorism laws and its failure to uphold its international human rights obligations. The international community, including governments, NGOs, and the United Nations, must exert pressure on Saudi Arabia to release Sabri Shalabi and address the systemic issues that led to his imprisonment.

Specifically, the Saudi authorities should:

1. Immediately release Sabri Shalabi and drop all charges against him.

2. Conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the allegations of forced confessions and abuse made by Shalabi and other detainees.

3. Reforms its legal system to ensure that individuals are provided with fair and unbiased trials, free from political interference.

4. Address the broader issues of arbitrary detention, torture, and mistreatment within the Saudi prison system.

The international community, governments, and human rights organizations must continue to shine a light on the human rights abuses and lack of due process in Saudi Arabia. By doing so, they can contribute to the push for substantive change and the fair treatment of all individuals who find themselves entangled in the Saudi legal system.

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