A US citizen who was imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for more than a year after being found guilty of criticizing the government in tweets has been freed, according to the man’s relatives.
When Saad Ibrahim Almadi, 72, came in Riyadh to see his family in November 2021, he was detained. Almadi is also a citizen of Saudi Arabia.
In October, he received a 16-year prison term. This month, an appeals court extended the sentence to 19 years.
The US government and the Saudi government have not reacted on Mr. Almadi’s release.
Although his son Ibrahim verified his father was at a Riyadh family home, he added it was unclear when he may return to his Florida home.
“All charges have been dropped but we have to fight the travel ban now,” Ibrahim told Reuters news agency.
A court convicted Mr. Almadi guilty of aiming to undermine the kingdom and of aiding and abetting terrorism. Also, he received a 16-year travel ban.