Saudi Arabian court sentences activist Loujain to five years in prison

Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for terrorism-related offences by the Specialized Criminal Court established in 2008 to investigate all matters related to terrorism. The sentence could be reduced by almost three years if she does not commit any crime in the next three years.

Hathloul was arrested in May 2018 along with a dozen other activists just weeks before Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving. This uprising is part of a progressive process of expanding women's rights that has been led by Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

Several of the women who were arrested with her have been provisionally released, but charges have been upheld against Hathloul. Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan told AFP that the Saudi activist is said to have contacted states opposed to the Saudi regime and provided them with classified information, something the family strongly denies.

The court has also announced that there are 30 days to appeal the charges brought under the country's anti-terrorism law.

Various human rights organisations have called for their immediate release, which has also been requested by the US Senate, which has called for an "immediate and unconditional release". 

In recent years, the Gulf monarchy has been lifting bans on women in a sort of openness. A year ago it announced the lifting of the ban on travelling abroad without a permit, as well as the possibility of entering sports grounds and restaurants and driving vehicles. All these rights were some of those that the activist, now condemned, had been demanding for the last few years.