Alkarama sent a communication to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on 15 September 2009 asking them to intervene with the Saudi authorities in order that Mr Al-Hamadani be released or brought to justice. He continues to suffer from health problems, including pain from a kidney disease and respiratory problems. His family is very conscious of his medical problems and fears the worst.
Further Information
At the time of the arrest, Mohammad Al-Hamadani was holding a valid entry visa and residency card for Saudi Arabia. Although he was arrested without a warrant, he was able to call his family in Yemen and inform them that he was being taken to a police station.
Mr Al-Hamadani, 36, works as a teacher in Ib Province, Yemen and is also the financial manager for a well-known Yemeni charity organization, Hikma Al-Yemeni.
The initial accusations against Mr Al-Hamadani were for belonging to Al-Qaida, in connection with one of his colleagues Mr Al-Jalal (also currently detained) who is also suspected of raising funds for Al-Qaida. The connection between the two men is based on a receipt found on Mr Al-Jalal and signed by Mr Al-Hamadani, with written proof that Mr Al-Hamadani had received the sum of 1000 Saudi Riyals from Mr Al-Jalal. Mr Al-Hamadani is also accused of working in a non-declared job. Sources indicate that he received the 1000 Saudi Riyals on behalf of with the organization Hikma Al-Yemeni, a credible and registered charity working in Yemen.
Since his arrest, Mr Al-Hamadani has not had access to a lawyer, neither has he been charged, nor been presented before a judge. Sources indicate, however, that the senior investigating officer in charge of his case met with him a month after his arrest in order to confirm and sign the statements he had earlier given to investigating officers. Although the meeting took place without the presence of a lawyer, Mr Al-Hamadani did confirm he had been collecting donations for relief projects commissioned by a licensed Yemeni charity organization and in no way was he acting illegally.
Since his arrest and imprisonment, Mr Al-Hamadani's family have contacted authorities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia to understand the reasons for his arrest and to appeal for his release. The charity organization, for which he worked, as well and other members of his community have sent petitions to the Saudi Ministers for Immigration and Human Rights pleading for his release.
Mr. Al-Hamadani's arrest is without a doubt arbitrary and is direct violation of the Saudi Law which states that "no person shall be arrested or detained except on the basis of an order from the competent authority."
Furthermore, it is also in contravention of article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that no-one may be arbitrarily detained.