Human rights groups are calling for the release of a Saudi woman, who they say has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for supporting women’s rights and for the way she dressed.

Otaibi, who promoted female empowerment on social media, was arrested under anti-terror laws

Manahel-al-Otaibi was arrested in November 2022 after she called for reforms around women’s rights in Saudi Arabia

T wo human rights groups have condemned an 11-year prison sentence handed to a Saudi fitness instructor and women's rights activist by a terrorism court. Manahel al-Otaibi, 29, was convicted of charges related to her clothing choices and expression of her views online, Amnesty International and ALQST said.

Manahel al-Otaibi was sentenced in a secret hearing and her family have not had access to court documents or evidence presented against her

Saudi fitness instructor and women's rights activist, Manahel al-Otaibi, was secretly sentenced to 11 years in prison by Saudi Arabia's counter-terrorism court.

Saudi Arabia has sentenced a women’s rights activist to 11 years in prison after she criticised laws in the kingdom, rights groups have said. Manahel al-Otaibi, 29, had been arrested in November 2022 after she criticised male guardianship laws on social media.

Otaibi, a Saudi women’s rights activist, to 11 years in prison for her advocacy work and expression of personal freedom has sparked international outrage and highlighted the ongoing tensions between the Kingdom’s declared path towards reform and the reality faced by activists on the ground.