The Saudi Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) has sentenced three sons of the political prisoner Dr. Safar Al-Hawali to jail.
Abdul Rahman Al-Hawali was sentenced to seven years, while Abdullah and Abdul Rahim Al-Hawali were sentenced to six years.
Dr. Safar Al-Hawali was arrested on July 12, 2018, after publishing a book critical of the Saudi policies at home and abroad. He is still held without trial till today.
Following his arrest, his two brothers and sons Ibrahim, Abdul Rahim, Abdullah and Abdul Rahman were arrested and subjected to enforced disappearance. Ibrahim was later released in February 2020.
Rights watchdog earlier reported that Al-Hawali has witnessed a serious health deterioration while in jail, pointing out that he suffers from many health problems, including kidney failure and pelvic fracture.
The Saudi authorities are imposing a total media blackout on the detention and health conditions of many detainees, amid reports of health deterioration of many of them due to the torture and ill-treatment they are constantly subjected to.