Saudi authorities have released Sheikh Saleh Al-Talib, the former Imam and Khatib of Al-Masjid al-Haram, after over seven years of imprisonment. The release was confirmed by the advocacy group Prisoners of Conscience, though they noted that Sheikh Al-Talib remains under house arrest and is required to wear an electronic ankle monitor.
Sheikh Al-Talib was arrested in August 2018 after delivering a sermon urging Muslims to speak out against wrongdoing. His remarks led to his detention, although the authorities never disclosed official charges. In 2022, the Specialized Criminal Appeals Court in Riyadh sentenced him to 10 years in prison, overturning an earlier acquittal.
The Sheikh has maintained a large following due to his Quran recitations and sermons. Prior to his imprisonment, he served as a judge in Makkah and Riyadh and hailed from the Huwtat Bani Taimi family, known for producing Islamic scholars and judges.
His release follows that of teacher Asaad bin Nasser Al-Ghamdi, who had been imprisoned for more than two years over social media posts. Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on dissent has intensified under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with a growing number of clerics, academics, activists, and even members of the royal family facing arrest and long prison terms.
