العربية
An Australian businessman fights extradition to Saudi Arabia after being arrested in Morocco for alleged anti-government activism.
Usama Al-Hasani was traveling with his Australian passport when he was detained on arrival in the Moroccan capital Rabat three weeks ago.
Dr. Hasani, who has both Australian and Saudi citizenship, has been accused of being involved in a group that opposes the Saudi state-sponsored form of Islam known as Wahhabism, Moroccan news site Yabiladi reported.
Usama Al-Hasani was traveling with his Australian passport when he was detained on arrival in the Moroccan capital Rabat three weeks ago.
Saudi human rights organization Prisoners of Conscience said Dr. Al-Husaini was arrested request from Saudi authorities who also requested his deportation as soon as possible.
We confirm that Moroccan authorities will bring Dr. Usama Al-Husaini to trial on March 3, after which he will most likely be deported to Saudi Arabia, where the real danger lurks, as he will either be murdered or taken into prison for several detained. years, ‘it tweeted.
The group described Dr. Al-Husaini as a ‘prominent figure’.
He is a merchant, a Quran reader and a former professor at King Abdulaziz University [in Jeddah], ‘Prisoners of conscience tweeted,
The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it was providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Morocco.
Mohammed bin Salman approved an operation to capture or murder murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, according to US intelligence released on Friday.
Australian Middle East expert Rodger Shanahan from the Lowy Institute said The Australian he believes the matter will pose a challenge to the Australian government.
Dr. Al-Husaini describes himself on his Twitter account as an associate professor of business information systems and advisor to international affairs and trade.
“I testify that it belongs to God and everything else is untrue,” reads his Twitter bio.
‘Licensed in several novels and I like poetry and history, interested in spirituality.’
There is concern that Dr. Al-Husaini’s arrest is at least in part an attempt by the ruling Saudi family to undermine opposition to its rule.
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, approved an operation in 2018 to capture or murder murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to US intelligence released on Friday.
US President Joe Biden stated that he would hold Saudi Arabia ‘responsible’ for the Khashoggi murder, but no comprehensive sanctions have been imposed so far.
Dr. Al-Husaini was reportedly arrested at the request of Saudi authorities who also requested his deportation to Saudi Arabia as soon as possible.