The Saudi authorities continue to arbitrarily detain the president of the Consumer Protection Society, Dr. Razeen Muhammad al-Razeen, for unknown reasons.
Dr. Al-Razeen was arrested on 30 September 2017. The authorities have not released any information about his whereabouts or condition, nor specified the charges against him.
However, local sources report that al-Razeen is being attacked for his defense of consumer rights, and for his public positions against certain corrupt businesses.
Prior to his arrest, al-Razeen, who is a graduate of Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, publicly objected to the raising of prices of medicines used to treat long-term conditions, and to various other harmful commercial practices.
Dr. Al-Razeen is one of many activists, including academics, journalists, and religious figures, who the Saudi regime continues to arbitrarily detain.
Typical charges include “terrorism” and “threatening the security of the state.”
The Saudi authorities have imposed a blackout on reporting on detainees’ conditions, though successive leaks have revealed widespread abuse, including torture and the non-provision of medical care.
Numerous international human rights organisations have criticised the Saudi regime’s use of unfair trials, political detention, and even death sentences against activists.
