Salma al-Shehab, a doctoral student in Saudi Arabia, was sentenced to 34 years in prison for using a website to “create public turmoil and destabilize civil and national security” by having a Twitter account, following and sharing with dissidents and activists.
Salma al-Shehab, who was a doctoral student at the University of Leeds in England and returned to her home country of Saudi Arabia for vacation , was arrested in January 2021. Married and mother of two, al-Shehab was first sentenced by a special terrorism court to 3 years In Prison For Having A Twitter account and using a website to “cause public turmoil and destabilize civil and national security” . The appeals court increased the sentence last Monday, sentencing al-Shehab to 34 years in prison and a 34-year travel ban.
Salma al-Shebab was calling for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia from her Twitter account. Retweeting the posts of opposition activists, the doctoral student also called for the release of imprisoned activists.