Saudi authorities continue to forcibly disappear academic Dr. Mohammad Fahd al-Qahtani, even after his 10-year sentence ended on 22 November last year.
Today, 18 February, is the 114th day in a row that al-Qahtani’s whereabouts is unknown.
Al-Qahtani’s disappearance began after he complained to a prison administration about various abuses he suffered whilst detained.
Last May, al-Qahtani was physically assaulted whilst he was asleep, by a detainee suffering a mental health crisis.
The wife of al-Qahtani, Maha al-Qahtani, who is also imprisoned, raised the issue of her husband’s disappearance on her personal Twitter account.
“I hope that anyone who has information about my disappeared husband, Mohammed al-Qahtani, and who has an ounce of humanity in their heart, informs us of his location.”
“Our worry concern reached a new level after our communication with him broke off – and officials have not answered our calls or messages.”
Dr. Mohammad al-Qahtani is former professor of economics at the Institute of Diplomatic Affairs, within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He is also one of the founding members of Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA).
Due to his human rights activities, the Saudi authorities arrested al-Qahtani in mid-2012. In March 2013 a court sentenced him to 10 years in prison, and a travel ban for a further ten years.
The charges against al-Qahtani included establishing unlicensed civil association (ACPRA itself), criticising the state’s management of the country’s economy, and describing Saudi Arabia as a police state.
The Saudi authorities block the reporting of detainees’, though leaks have revealed the widespread use of torture and other forms of mistreatment.
