Saudi human rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released Wednesday after nearly three years in prison, her family said.
She was arrested and convicted in 2018 under an "anti-terrorism" law after campaigning for Saudi women to obtain the right to drive.
Saudi human rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released on Wednesday after almost three years in prison, her family said, as Riyadh faces growing criticism of respect for human rights in the kingdom.
She was arrested in May 2018, along with other activists, shortly before the lifting of the driving ban on Saudi women, a reform for which these women were campaigning.
Loujain al-Hathloul was then sentenced on December 29 to five years and eight months in prison under an "anti-terrorism" law, including a two-year and ten-month reprieve "on condition that she did not commit another crime. within three years ".
"The fight is not over"
With the period in pre-trial detention taken into account, her family was optimistic that she would be released by March.
Finally, "Loujain has been released," his sister Lina al-Hathloul wrote in Arabic on Twitter on Wednesday evening.
"Loujain came home after 1,000 days in prison. But she is not free. The fight is not over."
Saudi authorities have not formally commented on the detention, trial or release of Loujain al-Hathloul.
"The release of Loujain al-Hathloul after a terrible ordeal in prison in Saudi Arabia, which lasted almost three years, is an incredible relief," said Lynn Maalouf of Amnesty International.
"Nothing can make up for the cruel treatment she suffered, nor the injustice of her imprisonment," according to the organization.
The international community rejoices
"It is certain that his release is a welcome step," also said US State Department spokesman Ned Price.
"Promoting women's rights and other human rights must never be criminalized."
New US President Joe Biden pledged during his election campaign to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah" state because of its human rights abuses, which his predecessor Donald Trump had largely overlooked for its mandate.
"Loujain al-Hathloul was an important activist for women's rights and freeing her was the right thing to do," Joe Biden said from Washington on Wednesday.
In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: "I welcome the release of Loujain al-Hathloul and share the relief of his family."
He called for his release on March 8, 2019. Canada, which triggered a diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia after denouncing arrests of Saudi human rights defenders in 2018, said it was "very relieved" of this release.
I welcome the release of Loujain al-Hathloul and share the relief of his family.
https://t.co/MEELVy3TVg
- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 10, 2021