A French national arrested more than a year ago for not having a valid permit for the Hajj should have a fair trial and attention for his health needs, ALQST for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch said today. Held in incommunicado detention for over four months, the next session of his trial for visa permit violations and charges related to free expression is awaiting a date. Saudi Arabia’s allies, particularly the French government, should send monitors to observe upcoming trial hearings.
Mr. Abdelfattah, a father of three, identified only by his surname to protect his privacy, was stopped by security officials on June 16, 2024, while taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, and was asked to show his Hajj permit. The authorities discovered that his permit was invalid after he had unknowingly fallen victim to a visa scam, a common occurrence that the authorities are trying to address. Abdelfattah was initially detained at the Haram police station and transferred the following day to Dhahban Prison near Jeddah, ALQST reported.
At the time of his arrest, the penalty for unauthorised Hajj pilgrims was a fine of 10,000 Riyals (approximately 2,000 GBP) and deportation. Similar penalties were announced for the 2025 (1446 AH) Hajj season. Yet he was arbitrarily detained for more than 11 months and then put on trial, beginning in May 2025, for both visa irregularities and charges relating to peaceful free expression.
Earlier in 2025, the authorities told him he could expect to be released before Eid al-Adha at the end of May, but instead he was put on trial in the Specialised Criminal Court (SCC), Saudi Arabia’s notorious terrorism court, on charges of “illegal entry to Mecca,” “insulting the government,” and “praising prosecuted individuals.”
During his time in custody he has been subjected to alleged ill-treatment and torture by prison guards and security officers, including beatings, solitary confinement, death threats, and being slammed against a wall, ALQST reported. He sustained injuries as a result of his ill-treatment and suffered a serious decline in his health, yet authorities have denied him essential medical care.
Saudi authorities have repeatedly denied his access to legal representation and family visits, ALQST reported. From September 2024 until August 5, 2025, he was permitted to make a weekly 15-minute phone call to his wife, but calls were cut whenever he attempted to discuss his treatment in prison or to provide updates on his trial. Since August 5, contact with his family has been prohibited and he continues to be held incommunicado. Prison authorities confirm only that he remains in custody and will provide no further information.
The case demonstrates that Saudi authorities routinely use repressive laws criminalize free speech to stifle legitimate criticism and peaceful dissent, in violation of international standards, and frequently subject prisoners held on expression-related charges to grave abuses including physical and psychological torture, the groups said.
Saudi authorities held the first hearing of his case on May 26. He appeared without legal representation having been denied a lawyer. At subsequent hearings, the court indicated that a refusal to defend himself would be taken as admission of guilt. Abdelfattah’s family have not been allowed to attend the hearings, nor have representatives there from the French Embassy.
Furthermore, despite repeated requests, he has been denied access to a mental health specialist. At his latest secret hearing on November 25, he was in severe psychological distress.
Saudi Arabia’s authorities often hold secret trial proceedings to which international observers, including embassy officials and foreign media, as well as the Saudi public, are denied access. While the presence of international observers does not in itself guarantee a fair trial, the lack of a public and open hearing, and the barring of international observers further prejudices judicial proceedings.
The Saudi authorities should immediately drop charges relating to the peaceful exercise of Abdelfattah’s basic rights, uphold his right to a fair trial in line with international standards, including by ensuring legal representation and court access.
The Saudi authorities should provide him with immediate medical attention, immediate access to his family and consular representatives, and independently investigate his allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
