The University of Leeds says it’s “deeply concerned” that certainly one of its college students has been sentenced to 34 years in jail in Saudi Arabia for following activists and dissidents on Twitter.
Human rights activist Salma al-Shehab was handed the sentence in a ruling that has been decried by campaigners who say it was the “longest issued against female or male activists”.
She had initially been sentenced to a few years in jail for utilizing the web to “cause public unrest and destabilise civil and national security” – however was given the brand new sentence on Monday after an appeals court docket was requested to think about different alleged crimes.
A spokesperson for University of Leeds mentioned: “We are deeply concerned to learn of this recent development in Salma’s case and we are seeking advice on whether there is anything we can do to support her.
“Our ideas stay with Salma, her household, and her pals amongst our close-knit group of postgraduate researchers.”
The 34-year-old is a postgraduate researcher within the last yr of her PhD research within the School of Medicine on the University of Leeds.
The married mom of two kids, who was additionally given a 34-year journey ban, was arrested in January 2021 whereas on vacation in Saudi Arabia.
European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) mentioned: “Although not all levels of litigation have been enforced, this ruling sets a dangerous precedent for women activists and human rights defenders.
“The Public Prosecution accused her of a number of fees, together with undermining the safety of society and the soundness of the state, spreading sedition, offering assist to those that search to disrupt public order, and spreading false and malicious rumours on Twitter.”
The organisation mentioned the sentence “reveals that the recent steps taken by the Saudi government in the file of women’s rights are not serious and fall within the whitewashing campaigns it is carrying out to improve its poor human rights record”.
Twitter has to this point not commented on the case – whereas it’s believed Salma could search an enchantment over the ruling, reported The Guardian.
Source: information.sky.com”