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September 05, 2025 – Saudi Arabia/Yemen –
Saudi authorities have detained Yemeni journalist Mujahid Al-Haiqi without charge, drawing strong criticism from press freedom defenders and human rights groups. Al-Haiqi, a freelance reporter who contributes to Aden Al-Ghad, was arrested on August 12, 2025, at Jeddah airport as he prepared to board a flight to Cairo after performing the Umrah pilgrimage with his mother. He was summoned to a security center inside the airport and subsequently taken into custody. No arrest warrant or official explanation has been provided.
Family members told rights monitors that Al-Haiqi’s home was searched following his detention, and he has not been allowed access to legal counsel. Advocacy groups, including Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), emphasized that his detention lacks legal grounds and appears to be arbitrary. They stressed that Al-Haiqi committed no violations during his pilgrimage and was targeted solely for his professional work.
Observers note that Al-Haiqi has reported extensively on Hadramawt governorate, a region marked by Saudi and Emirati competition for influence. His coverage of sensitive political and security issues may have drawn the attention of authorities. Relatives and colleagues believe this focus contributed to his detention, reflecting how independent reporting in Yemen and beyond is increasingly criminalized.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the arrest, urging Saudi Arabia to either provide a clear legal justification or release Al-Haiqi immediately. “Saudi authorities must stop treating journalists as criminals,” CPJ stated, calling the case part of a broader trend of regional governments weaponizing vague security claims to silence dissent.
Reference –
Saudi Arabia arrests Yemeni journalist Mujahid Al-Haiqi after pilgrimage
