Saudi court sentences two human rights activists to prison

Dubai: A Saudi court has sentenced human rights activists Mohammad al-Otaibi and Abdullah al-Attawi to 14 and seven years in prison respectively, rights group Amnesty International reported on Thursday.

The Saudi activists had faced charges including setting up an independent organisation and making statements harmful to the kingdom.

Amnesty said Otaibi and Attawi were the first human rights defenders sentenced under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin



Salman.

Otaibi was arrested at Doha airport and deported from Qatar to Saudi Arabia in May after he tried to fly with his wife to Norway where he had been granted political asylum.

The Saudi government's communications office could not be reached for comment.

Amnesty said the list of charges against them included setting up an organisation before receiving authorisation, spreading chaos, inciting public opinion and publishing statements harmful to the kingdom and its institutions.