A Saudi activist, best known for campaigning against a decades-long ban on female drivers, has appeared in the court for the first time since her provisional release from prison in January.
A 31-year-old Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul was detained in May 2018 with about a dozen other women activists, just weeks before the ban was lifted. The release of Hathloul, who is still on the ordeal and is barred from leaving Saudi Arabia for five years, came as the kingdom faces renewed US scrutiny of its human rights record under President Joe Biden.
Talking about her appearance in the court, her family said, “Today was the first-day Loujain appeared in court without being handcuffed or blindfolded.” In late December, a court handed Hathloul a prison term of five years and eight months for terrorism-related crimes.
However, a partially suspended sentence and time already served paved the way for her early release last month. The public prosecution had appealed to raise her sentence and cancel the suspension, according to the family statement.
Saudi authorities have not officially commented on her detention, trial, or release. Hathloul is appealing her sentence as well as restrictions placed on her and her family. Hathloul was instrumental in the campaign to allow women to drive in Saudi Arabia.
