“We are extremely disappointed with this verdict (…) We will appeal even if we have no hope in the Saudi justice system”, said Walid al-Hathloul, his brother, interviewed from Canada.
Loujain al-Hathloul began a hunger strike in prison on October 26 before interrupting it two weeks later, according to his family and Amnesty International. “Loujain’s morale is good but his physical condition remains low“, then declared her other sister, Alia al-Hathloul.
No evidence, according to the family
According to Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal ben Farhan, Loujain al-Hathloul is accused of having been in contact with states “hostile” to the kingdom and of having transmitted confidential information. But the Saudi government has not provided any tangible evidence to support these accusations, according to those close to the activist.
Loujain al-Hathloul’s family announced in November that his case had been transferred to a terrorism court. This specialized criminal court, created in 2008, has been widely used to try political prisoners, according to human rights organizations.
Paris calls for his “rapid release”
French diplomacy demanded Monday the “rapid release” of the activist. “As we have said publicly on numerous occasions, we want the speedy release of Ms. Loujain al-Hathloul”, said a deputy spokesman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“France recalls its constant mobilization in favor of human rights and equality between women and men”, he added. An activist for the cause of Saudi women, Loujain al-Hathloul has only carried out peaceful actions in the ultraconservative kingdom. She has long campaigned for the right of Saudi women to drive and for the end of the guardianship which puts women at the total mercy of men.
Born in 1989, Loujain al-Hathloul grew up partly in Toulon because her father, a Saudi navy officer, had been transferred to the harbor. She is fluent in French.
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