Trump secures release of American trapped in Saudi Arabia for years over online posts
In a significant diplomatic development, Saad Almadi, a 75-year-old U.S. citizen detained in Saudi Arabia for criticizing the royal family online, has been released after a four-year ordeal. His release on Wednesday followed a meeting between President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C., which has been interpreted as a pivotal factor in the negotiations for Almadi’s freedom. Almadi, a retired engineer who has lived in the United States since 1976, was arrested during a family visit to Riyadh in 2021 and initially sentenced to over 19 years in prison on terrorism charges linked to his social media posts. These charges were later reduced to cyber crimes, but despite being released from prison earlier this year, Almadi remained in Saudi Arabia under an exit ban that prevented him from returning home.
The Almadi family expressed immense relief and gratitude following the news of his release, emphasizing the role of President Trump and his administration in securing his return. They thanked various individuals and organizations that supported their fight for Almadi’s freedom, including the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and nonprofit groups advocating for detained Americans. The case garnered attention from human rights organizations and U.S. lawmakers, highlighting broader concerns about freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia. In recent months, U.S. pressure to remove Almadi’s exit ban intensified, particularly following Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May, suggesting a strategic diplomatic effort to prioritize American citizens’ rights abroad.
As Almadi prepares to fly back to the United States, his case underscores the complexities of U.S.-Saudi relations, particularly regarding human rights issues. The Foley Foundation, which advocates for Americans detained overseas, celebrated Almadi’s release, marking it as a victory for the family’s persistent advocacy. This incident not only highlights the challenges faced by U.S. citizens abroad but also raises questions about the influence of diplomatic relations on individual cases of injustice. Almadi’s journey home is a poignant reminder of the intersection between international diplomacy, human rights, and the personal struggles of families affected by such detentions.
A U.S. citizen jailed in
Saudi Arabia
for criticizing the royal family online was freed Wednesday by Saudi authorities, ending a four-year ordeal in the country, according to
media reports
.
Saad Almadi’s release came just a day after President Donald Trump met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C., per the
New York Post
.
Almadi, 75, a retired engineer and U.S. resident since 1976, was detained in 2021 during a family visit to Riyadh and later sentenced to more than 19 years in prison on terrorism charges tied to a series of posts online.
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The charges were reduced to
cyber crimes,
and although he was released from prison in 2023, Almadi was held in the country under an exit ban which prevented him from going back home to the U.S.
The Almadi family issued a statement Wednesday celebrating the good news and thanking
Trump.
“Our family is overjoyed that, after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way home to the United States!” they said.
“This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the
National Security Council
, as well as everyone at the State Department.”
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A third portion of the statement expressed appreciation to others who had supported the case over the years.
“We extend our thanks to the
U.S. Embassy in Riyadh
for keeping our father safe, and to the nonprofit organizations and members of Congress who fought for his freedom,” the statement read.
Almadi’s case also drew attention from
human rights groups
and U.S. lawmakers after he was accused of terrorism over 14 social media posts.
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One suggested that
a street in Washington be renamed
after Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
U.S. pressure to lift Almadi’s exit ban had also intensified since Trump’s May visit to Saudi Arabia.
Sebastian Gorka, a member of the National Security Council, also met with Almadi’s son at the White House.
The Foley Foundation,
which advocates for Americans detained overseas, praised the news Wednesday, saying it was “so excited” the family’s fight had finally succeeded.
Per reports, Almadi was flying to the U.S. from Riyadh on Wednesday, according to his family, after Trump and the crown prince set foot on stage at a forum in Washington.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Gorka, the State Department and the White House for comment.
