Many of the women were tortured during months in custody, relatives and rights groups say.
By Kareem Fahim Kareem Fahim Istanbul bureau chief covering the Middle East Email Bio Follow March 13 at 5:58 PM ISTANBUL — A group of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent women’s rights advocates appeared in court in the Saudi capital Wednesday at the start of a trial that could signal whether the government intends to roll back an aggressive, years-long crackdown on political activists.
The defendants include the country’s best-known feminist activists, including Aziza al-Yousef, Loujain al-Hathloul, Eman al-Nafjan and Hatoon al-Fassi, Sayari said, according to Reuters. Many of the women have been tortured while in custody, according to relatives and human rights groups. Saudi officials deny those allegations.
The kingdom has faced further intense scrutiny over its human rights record in the months since Saudi government agents killed Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributing columnist, in Istanbul in October. U.S. lawmakers have called for an investigation into Khashoggi’s killing as well as the release of the women’s rights activists and other political prisoners.
ALQST, a Saudi rights group based in London, said Wednesday that the women are being charged under the country’s Cyber Crime law with offenses related to their activism, including contacting human rights groups. The charges carry sentences of up to five years in prison, but prosecutors have also asked the judge to “impose other discretionary punishments,” the group said on Twitter.A Saudi government communications office did not respond to a request for information about the hearing.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Revealed: The 10 Best And 10 Worst Places For Women To WorkA survey lists the best and worst countries to work abroad. You won't believe the U.S. results.
Read more »
Just 10 stocks have accounted for a quarter of the 10-year bull market's returnThe bull market's historic 10-year run is due in large part thanks to the success of a handful of high-powered stocks, Goldman Sachs calculates.
Read more »
Revealed: The 10 Best And 10 Worst Places For Women To WorkIn these countries, female expats’ satisfaction with their work-life balance, working hours and job security is above average: IWD2019
Read more »
Saudi women's rights activists stand trial in criminal courtSeveral Saudi Arabian women rights activists stood trial on Wednesday for the fi...
Read more »
Opinion | A sham trial exposes Saudi Arabia’s continued disrespect for its citizensThe only crime committed by these female activists was caring enough for their country, despite all the risks and intimidation.
Read more »
Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul goes on trial in RiyadhThe trial of Loujain al-Hathloul, a prominent Saudi women's rights activist, began on Wednesday, according to her family
Read more »
Leading Saudi women's rights activists go on trialSeveral Saudi women activists detained in a widespread crackdown last year were brought to court in a case that has intensified scrutiny of Riyadh's human rights record.
Read more »
Trial to start in Saudi Arabia for jailed female activists, relatives and rights groups saySaudi officials have hinted at a pardon. Human rights groups say the women should be released immediately.
Read more »
If You Get 10/10 On This Trivia Quiz, You Deserve A PhD In The Study Of EverythingIf You Get All 10 Of These Trivia Questions Right, You're A True Nerd
Read more »
The 10 cities where the most women outearn their partnersAlmost half of working women in the U.S. are their family's primary or sole breadwinner.
Read more »