British national Ahmed al-Doush has been sentenced to 10 years in a Saudi prison over a deleted tweet, sparking outrage over human rights violations and the UK government’s muted response.
At a Glance
- British citizen Ahmed al-Doush jailed 10 years in Saudi Arabia over social media activity
- Arrested in Riyadh while preparing to return home to the UK
- Held in solitary confinement for over a month without legal or consular access
- UK Foreign Office accused of failing to intervene effectively
- Family in the UK relies on food banks amid mounting pressure for his release
Targeted for a Tweet
Ahmed al-Doush, a British father and senior business analyst, was detained in August 2022 at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport while attempting to board a flight back to the UK. Saudi authorities cited “anti-terror” laws as grounds for the arrest, allegedly tied to a long-deleted tweet critical of regional conflicts.
After his arrest, al-Doush spent 33 days in solitary confinement and was denied access to legal counsel. His charges were never formally disclosed, even to his state-appointed lawyer or wife, Amaher Nour. Legal advocates believe the tweet referenced the war in Sudan, a conflict Saudi Arabia has sought to keep politically sensitive.
Watch a report: UK Citizen Detained in Saudi Arabia.
— Sentinel (@SentinelTeamHQ) August 12, 2024
Despite Saudi assurances, al-Doush’s health has declined, and he remains isolated. His wife and four children, left stranded in the UK, are struggling financially. “He called me from security and told me to fly with the children on to Turkey… said, ‘I’ll be with you shortly,’” Nour recalls.
UK Government Under Fire
The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed its awareness of the case, stating only: “We are supporting a British man who is detained in Saudi Arabia.” Critics, however, argue that the UK government’s response has been woefully insufficient, failing to provide transparent updates or exert meaningful pressure on Riyadh.
Foreign Secretary meetings with Saudi counterparts reportedly occurred, but the substance of those discussions remains classified, further fueling frustration among human rights groups and the public.
Reprieve and other watchdogs have demanded immediate diplomatic escalation, warning that this case could set a dangerous precedent for British citizens abroad—especially in authoritarian regimes that criminalize digital expression.
A Human Rights Crisis in Plain Sight
The al-Doush case is a chilling reminder of the global assault on freedom of expression. With social media increasingly weaponized as evidence in politically motivated trials, the need for robust international safeguards has never been clearer.
Back home, Nour and her children rely on food banks and local support networks, unsure of when—or if—Ahmed will return. As the UK government tiptoes around the issue, pressure is mounting for stronger protections and public accountability.
In the absence of urgent diplomatic action, Ahmed al-Doush’s story risks becoming yet another quiet casualty of state repression and Western indifference.
