Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

A Saudi Arabian Princess Has Been Released After 3 Years in Prison Without Charge

A Saudi Arabian Princess Has Been Released After 3 Years in Prison Without Charge

Basmah bint Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had been critical of the Saudi crown prince's controversial rise to power and of the kingdom's treatment of women
One of the Saudi Arabian royal family's many members has returned home after spending nearly three years in prison — the result of a still-mysterious March 2019 arrest with her daughter, Souhoud Al Sharif.

An adviser for Princess Basmah bint Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud confirmed to the Associated Press, The New York Times and other news outlets this week that she and her daughter had been released.

The adviser, Henri Estramant, told The Guardian: "The two ladies were released from their arbitrary imprisonment, and arrived at their home in Jeddah on Thursday 6 January 2022. The princess is doing fine but will be seeking medical expertise. She seems worn out but is in good spirits, and thankful to reunite with her sons in person."

Saudi officials have not commented on the arrest or on the 57-year-old Basmah's release.

The embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to PEOPLE's request. Estramant also did not immediately respond to questions.

The princess' arrest was made public via tweets she posted in April 2020, in which she claimed she had been "abducted" and "thrown into prison" along with her daughter.

Those posts were quickly deleted.

Saudi Arabia's ruling royals have engaged in a well-documented crackdown on dissidents and activists in recent years amid a consolidation of power by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS.

Basmah, a princess with little official influence, had been publicly critical of the prince's controversial rise to power and of the kingdom's treatment of women.

In written testimony to the United Nations in 2020, some of her family said they believed her detention was likely due to her being "an outspoken critic of abuses," and worried that the kingdom was trying to "get rid of the princess."

According to The Guardian, Basmah, who is the youngest child of late King Saud bin Abdulaziz, was detained in a prison holding several other political detainees.

A relative told reporters that her detention supposedly came as a result of her being accused of forging a passport, as she was set to leave the country to seek medical treatment in Switzerland for an undisclosed illness.

According to human rights organization ALQST, Basmah was arrested in March 2019 and was not able to contact her family until that April. The organization claims she was also denied medical care and no charge was ever leveled against her during her time in state prison.

The kingdom's most recent former monarch, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, died in 2015, and bin Salman was named crown prince in 2017 after his father, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, took power.

The prince is widely thought to be the orchestrator of a purge of high-ranking Saudi officials from 2017 through 2019, when a number of prominent princes and government ministers were arrested and confined to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, the capital.

The previous crown prince also gave up his position under disputed circumstances.

The Saudi government under Prince Salman has played down the view that he has acted nefariously and — in the case of the killing of U.S.-based writer Jamal Khashoggi — denied outright any wrongdoing by the prince.

American intelligence officials believe the prince was likely behind Khashoggi's grisly slaying in 2018.

Since coming to power, Prince Salman has built an international reputation as a modernizer, though his critics say he is ruthless and a hoarder of power.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia and the United States Strengthen Ties Amid Global Developments
Saudi Arabia Hosts Global Conference to Promote Islamic Unity
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Education and Child Development
Saudi Arabia Announces Competition for Best Founding Day Outfits
Saudi-EU Food Security Officials Hold Talks to Strengthen Collaboration
Putin Expresses Gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince for Hosting US-Russia Talks
UK and Saudi Arabia Enhance Collaboration in Innovation and Technology
Denmark's Embassy in Riyadh Showcases Danish Cuisine with Saudi Influence
Saudi Artist Salman Al-Amir Unveils 'Tafawut' Exhibition in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Kuwait Following Military Exercise Fatalities
Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs Completes Ramadan Preparations in Madinah
Etidal Secretary-General Hosts UN Counter-Terrorism Director in Riyadh
ADNOC Drilling Targets Over $1 Billion in Investments for 2025 Amid Gulf Expansion Plans
Derayah Financial Achieves Remarkable Growth in Saudi Brokerage and Asset Management
Saudi Arabia Shortlists 30 Firms for Mining Licenses in Eastern Province and Tabuk
Saudi Foreign Minister Engages Counterparts at G20 Meeting in Johannesburg
Oil Prices Decline Amid Rising US Inventories
Saudi Arabia's NDMC Plans Green Bond Issuance by 2025
Moody’s Affirms Egypt’s Caa1 Rating Amid Positive Economic Outlook
Oman and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Economic Ties with New Agreements
Saudi Arabia Investments Propel Expansion of Qurayyah Power Plant
Saudi Capital Market Authority Advances SPACs and Direct Listings
Global Energy Leaders Gather in Riyadh for Symposium on Energy Outlooks
Al-Ahsa Region Sees 500% Growth in Tourism as Saudi Arabia Prioritizes Development
Saudi Arabia Advances Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Al-Ahsa with New Agreement
King Salman Approves Official Saudi Riyal Symbol
Saudi Credit Card Lending Reaches $8.4 Billion Amid Digital Payment Expansion
King Salman Approves Official Symbol for Saudi Riyal
Putin Thanks Saudi Crown Prince for Facilitating U.S.-Russia Discussions
Saudi Foreign Minister Attends G20 Meeting in Johannesburg
Saudi Arabia Prepares for Nationwide Founding Day Celebrations
Inauguration of Hira Park and Walkway Enhances Jeddah's Urban Landscape
Crown Prince Hosts Leaders for Informal Meeting in Riyadh Amid Gaza Rebuilding Plans
Saudi Official Highlights Achievements and Media's Role in National Transformation
Three Expatriate Women Arrested for Prostitution in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Evolution Highlighted at Saudi Media Forum
Healthy Eating and Preparation Essential for Ramadan Fasting
Saudi Arabia and Japan Forge Sustainable Textile Partnership
Advanced Limb Surgery Restores Mobility in Pediatric Cancer Patient
Jeddah Event Explores AI's Role in Boosting Saudi Arabia's SME Sector
UN Representative Highlights AI's Role in Perpetuating Gender Stereotypes
Saudi and Jordanian Leaders Discuss Enhanced Security Cooperation in Amman
Saudi British Society Honors Cultural Bridge-Builders at London Gala
Saudi Media Forum 2025 Explores AI's Role in Modern Journalism
Saudi Arabia's Saqer Al-Moqbel Appointed as WTO General Council President for 2025–2026
Saudi Deputy Ministers Engage in Diplomatic Discussions with U.S. and Dutch Officials in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia to Launch Iftar Program in 61 Countries During Ramadan
Saudi Visitors Expected to Spend £942 Million in UK During 2025
Saudi Arabia Gifts Kaaba's Kiswah to Uzbekistan's Center of Islamic Civilization
Digital Cooperation Organization Concludes Fourth General Assembly with Multiple Agreements
×