Saudi’s Netflix creator faces jail on ‘terrorism’ charges for promoting women’s rights and criticising kingdom’s regime

Saudi , 8 July 2024 :- Abdulaziz Almuzaini, a Saudi TV creator known for his controversial animated Netflix series “Masameer County,” has been sentenced to 13 years in prison and faces a 13-year travel ban by Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court, which is established to try terrorism cases. Almuzaini’s satirical show, which debuted in 2021, humorously addresses societal changes in Saudi Arabia and has touched on sensitive topics such as tribal disputes, Islamic extremism, and subtle references to homosexuality, which is a serious offense in the country.

According to The Wall Street Journal, court documents referenced Almuzaini’s online posts criticizing Arab regimes and advocating for women’s rights. In a now-deleted video, Almuzaini acknowledged these assertions and stated that Saudi officials accused him of promoting homosexuality and militancy. He revealed that due to pressure from Saudi authorities, he had to close his Myrkott Animation Studio, leading to the termination of all staff members.

Almuzaini’s appeal to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expresses his faith in the country’s leadership to address his perceived injustice. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and ALQST, have condemned Saudi Arabia’s judicial actions, noting numerous cases where lengthy sentences were imposed for social media expression under terrorism-related charges.

Abdullah Alaoudh from the Middle East Democracy Center and Lina al-Hathloul of ALQST have highlighted concerns that such actions stifle free speech and hinder the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative industries. They have called for greater respect for human rights and emphasized the broader human rights implications of travel bans and other restrictions.