Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist released from prison
Posted February 10, 2021 9:02 am.
Last Updated February 10, 2021 9:45 am.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The family of a Vancouver UBC graduate who is a leading Saudi women’s rights activist says she has been released from prison after nearly three years behind bars.
The sisters of Loujain al-Hathloul announced the news on Twitter Wednesday.
The @LoujainHathloul at home after 1001 days in prison pic.twitter.com/SIm274rAEw
— Lina Alhathloul لينا الهذلول (@LinaAlhathloul) February 10, 2021
Al-Hathloul, who pushed to end a ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia, was convicted last December on charges including agitating for change and pursuing a foreign agenda, accusations that rights groups describe as politically motivated.
She was sentenced by a counterterrorism court to almost six years in prison, but the judge suspended part of her sentence and gave her credit for time already served, advancing her release date.
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The release of 31-year-old al-Hathloul on Thursday closes a years-long case that has drawn sharp international criticism of the kingdom’s human rights record.
Al-Hathloul’s family has said she would remain under strict conditions, including a five-year travel ban and three years of probation.
