Loujain al-Hathloul is Conditionally Released from Prison
The Claim
Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul is free.
News posted on
Emerging story
News websites reported a Saudi women's rights activist was freed after 1,000 days in prison. Social media was flooded with pictures of Loujain al-Hathloul after she was released from prison on February 10, 2021.
“Loujain is at home !!!!!!” her sister Lina tweeted on Wednesday., posting a screenshot of al-Hathloul on a family video call.
Loujain is at home !!!!!!
— Lina Alhathloul لينا الهذلول (@LinaAlhathloul) February 10, 2021
تم الافراج عن لجين pic.twitter.com/fqug9VK6Mj
The tweet attracted thousands of users online expressing their happiness after Loujain's release. Activists and influencers online reposted and shared pictures of Loujain claiming she is free.
I will always be proud of community leaders and real influencers.. So happy and proud of #Loujain_Alhathloul and every other human-being who is working on solving a real issue from the roots..#لجين_حره#لجين_الهذلول
— Nada (@Nadahamad98) February 10, 2021
After 1001 days in prison Loujain Hathloul is finally at home! My superwoman ❤️❤️ #لجين_حره
— ZAINAB (@ZAINABAA9) February 10, 2021
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar's investigation found that Loujain is banned from travel & coerced into silence by a suspended sentence, her ordeal remains a flagrant miscarriage of justice.
Lina al-Hathloul thanked supporters on Twitter but said while Loujain is at home, “she is not free”. Lina also asked Twitter users not to use the word 'free'.
Can I kindly ask that we don't use the word 'free' or 'freed' in noting Loujain's potential release as it is not freedom. It is a potential release from prison and she is still under probation, travel ban and awaiting news of the appeal process. Thank you all for your support ❤️
— Lina Alhathloul لينا الهذلول (@LinaAlhathloul) February 9, 2021
The Guardian revealed that Loujain is not allowed to leave Saudi Arabia, and has a suspended sentence looming if she breaks the terms of her release.
.@hrw's statement on @LoujainHathloul's release. Excellent news Loujain's wrongful imprisonment has ended after 1001 days, but she's not free to speak out (nor is anyone else in Saudi) & she remains under travel ban. What is clear: Public Pressure Works. https://t.co/hLbKLifQDG pic.twitter.com/FlpstH6RpS
— Michael Page (@MichaelARPage) February 10, 2021
Ms. al-Hathloul, 31, rose to prominence for having publicly challenged the ban on driving and other legal restrictions that Saudi Arabia imposed on women under the so-called guardianship system. In 2014, she tried to drive her car across the border from the United Arab Emirates into Saudi Arabia and was detained for more than 70 days, turning her into a household name.
In 2018, Ms. al-Hathloul was arrested on a highway in the United Arab Emirates, where she had been studying, flown back to Saudi Arabia, and briefly detained. The New York Times reported, she was arrested again in May of that year and later told relatives that she and at least two other activists had been detained in a private facility, where they were tortured and sexually harassed.
Her release is conditional, with a 5-year travel ban and other restrictions, she will likely remain under close government watch, the NPR reported.
Unfortunately, she is not free as long as there are restrictions forced on her.
