Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Saudi Lifts Travel Ban on U.S.-Saudi Critic Saad Almadi, Clearing His Return Home

The family says the travel ban was lifted after President Trump's meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In this photo provided by Ibrahim Almadi, Saad Ibrahim Almadi sits in a restaurant in an unidentified place, in the United States, on August 2021.
Ibrahim Almadi during an interview with CNN.

Overview

  • Almadi’s family said Wednesday the 75-year-old dual national is on his way back to the United States after years of legal restrictions in Saudi Arabia.
  • He was arrested during a 2021 visit over social-media posts critical of the Saudi government, including references to Jamal Khashoggi.
  • Almadi was freed from prison in 2023 but remained under a Saudi exit ban until this week, according to the family and prior reporting.
  • The announcement came a day after President Trump hosted Mohammed bin Salman and appeared at a U.S.-Saudi investment event in Washington.
  • The family publicly credited Trump’s team, the State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, congressional allies, and several NGOs, and the son told CNN the release was described to his father as royal forgiveness.