Saudi caricaturist Mohamed al-Hazzaa has been sentenced to 23 years in prison over caricatures published during the Saudi-Qatar rift. Initially sentenced to six years, he now faces a longer term without the possibility of appeal.
Al-Hazzaa, a freelance artist, contributed to a Qatari newspaper during the blockade on Qatar, but stopped before his arrest in 2018. The case against him was reopened in 2023, resulting in a harsher sentence.
Accused of insulting Saudi Arabia with his drawings, al-Hazzaa denies the allegations, stating the evidence is from his work pre-blockade. His prosecution failed to provide proof of his supposed crimes.
Subject to human rights abuses since his arrest, including medical neglect, al-Hazzaa’s case highlights the suppression of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia. Despite the normalization of relations with Qatar, he continues to be detained.
With a wife and five children, al-Hazzaa’s plight underscores the impact of political tensions on individuals. Efforts to seek justice and support for him continue amidst ongoing violations of human rights in Saudi Arabia.