Saudi Arabia has released U.S. citizen Saad Almadi, who had been jailed for four years over social media posts criticizing the royal family. His release followed a meeting between President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C., marking a significant diplomatic outcome.
Almadi, a 75-year-old retired engineer, had been detained in 2021 during a family visit to Riyadh. Initially sentenced to over 19 years in prison for terrorism-related charges linked to his online activities, the charges were later reduced to cybercrime offenses. Despite being released from prison in 2023, he remained under an exit ban, preventing his return to the United States until recent diplomatic efforts led to his release.
His family expressed deep gratitude to Trump and his administration, highlighting the collaborative effort that resulted in Almadi’s freedom. The Almadi family issued a statement Wednesday celebrating the good news and thanking Trump, emphasizing the role of key figures such as Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the National Security Council. They also acknowledged the support of the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and various members of Congress who had advocated for Almadi’s release over the years.
Almadi’s case has drawn attention from human rights groups and U.S. lawmakers, particularly after he was accused of terrorism over 14 social media posts. Some have called for a street in Washington to be renamed after Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. U.S. pressure to lift Almadi’s exit ban had intensified since Trump’s May visit to Saudi Arabia, with Gorka meeting with Almadi’s son at the White House.
The Foley Foundation, which advocates for Americans detained overseas, praised the news, expressing excitement that the family’s fight had finally succeeded. Per reports, Almadi was flying to the U.S. from Riyadh on Wednesday after the meeting between Trump and the crown prince. Fox News Digital has reached out to Gorka, the State Department, and the White House for additional comments.