Saudi Arabian authorities have sentenced prominent Human Rights lawyer Waleed Sami Abu Abulkhair to 15 years in prison for “inciting public opinion”, “undermining the regime and officials”, and “insulting the judiciary”.  Abulkhair is also banned from leaving the country for 15 years after his prison term ends.

Amnesty International says Waleed Abulkhair is a “prisoner of conscience”, and the group’s Said Boumedouha says the detention is “a worrying example of how Saudi Arabian authorities are abusing the justice system to silence peaceful dissent.”

Human Rights Watch is demanding Saudi Arabia to release Abulkhair, saying, “Saudi authorities have repeatedly harassed Abulkhair for his human rights work.”

Waleed Abulkhair is the founder of Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (MHRSA).  He was put on trial under new “anti-terrorism” laws that target activists, and ban all form of political dissent or calls for reform.  The government ordered his organization shut down along with any related websites.

Abulkhair’s wife Samar Badawi says she gave birth to the couple’s child while he was jailed during his “trial”.  She says he does not recognize the verdict, and neither does she.

“He is not a terrorist to be tried in this court," Badawi said.  “I am not only talking to you as his wife.  I am talking to you as a human rights activist.  I reject this court too.”