Human Rights Watch Calls on Bulgaria: Prevent Deportation of Saudi Activist

Human Rights Watch has called on Bulgarian authorities to immediately halt plans to deport Saudi human rights activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi back to Saudi Arabia. According to the International Human Rights Organization, Al-Khalidi faces serious risks of arbitrary detention, torture, and an unfair trial if sent back.

Al-Khalidi, who has been advocating for prisoners' rights in Saudi Arabia and combating government propaganda, fled the country in 2013 due to safety concerns. After living in exile for nearly a decade, he sought asylum in Bulgaria in October 2021. However, the Bulgarian National Security Agency issued a deportation order for him on February 7, 2024, putting him at imminent risk of deportation.

Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea emphasized that al-Khalidi's deportation could expose him to detention and torture in Saudi Arabia, where he has been a vocal critic of the government. Given the well-documented abuses in the Saudi criminal justice system, Bulgaria would violate international principles by deporting him.