Saudi Sentencing of US citizen Deepens Existing Tensions

Accused victim Saad Ibrahim Almadi sits at a restaurant. Source: Ibrahim Almadi / AP News

Friction between The United States of America and Saudi Arabia over oil production have further increased with the 16-year sentencing of 72-year old American citizen Saad Ibrahim Almadi. 

Almadi was accused of causing harm to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by supporting and funding terrorism. Saudi officials have not elaborated on what terrorist activities Almadi was involved in. He was first taken into custody after he arrived in Riyadh last November. 

Since his arrest, Almadi has been allegedly tortured and confined in poor living conditions. His son, Ibrahim Almadi, broke the news to the world after almost a year of patiently waiting on the advice of US officials. 

Almadi senior is also a Saudi national, creating complications with both governments due to his confinement. 

According to State department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel, there was no official from the State Department present at Almadi’s sentence hearing. 

Countries where US citizens have been charged with illegal activities are normally required to contact and cooperate with the US embassy. Patel confirmed that the Saudi government failed to respond to the US embassy’s request to attend the hearing and moved the hearing date without informing the embassy. 

This is not the first time the two governments have clashed over detaining US citizens. In 2018, Saudi-American human rights activist Abdulrahman al-Sadhan was imprisoned for 20 years by the Saudis for criticizing the Saudi government on Twitter. Al-Sadhan was allegedly tormented by Saudi officials during the first two years of his detention. 

In 2017, Saudi-American physician Walid al-Fitaihi was arrested and convicted in Riyadh for 6 years on counts of acquiring a US citizenship without permission, denouncing Arab nations, and supporting terrorism. His family was prevented from traveling out of the country and his assets were frozen. 

Due to strong political and economic ties, the US has expressed caution in accusing Saudi Arabia of violating human rights. Activists and non-governmental organizations have subsequently criticized the US government for not having a more vocal response.

President Biden walks with Prince Mohammad bin Salman during his visit to Riyadh in July. Source: Bandar Algaloud / Al-Jazeera News

Political outcry in the United States quickly followed after the sentencing decision was announced. Senator Bernie Sanders took to twitter to write, “If Saudi Arabia, one of the worst violators of human rights in the world, wants to partner with Russia to jack up US gas prices, it can get Putin to defend its monarchy. We must pull all US troops out of Saudi Arabia, stop selling them weapons & end its price-fixing oil cartel.”  

President Biden stated that there would be consequences regarding the Saudi government’s decision and he issued a statement where he stated that the US would reevaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Prior to this event, relations between the US and Saudi Arabia had already been on edge as a result of OPEC+ cutting its oil productions, causing additional harm to an inflation-struck US economy. 

OPEC, or the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates and unifies petroleum policies among member countries, half of which are Arab nations including Saudi Arabia.

The US government accused Saudi Arabia and its OPEC allies of conspiring with Russia. With OPEC's decision, petrol prices in the US will increase. Russia, which was previously struggling due to a significant number of countries banning Russian imports, will additionally be able to sell its oil at a higher price. 

This is a blow to the Biden administration, which not only has to deal with the prospect of rising gas prices, but also has to keep the support of voters in the midterm elections.

While Almadi’s son spreads awareness on his father’s arrest, hoping to get the situation resolved, the Biden administration is now considering possible consequences against Saudi Arabia’s severe actions.