Photo: Alamy
Saudi Arabia is releasing a U.S. citizen jailed over social media posts critical of the royal family, a decision that follows President Donald Trump’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C.
Saad Almadi, 75, who immigrated to the United States in 1976, was arrested during a 2021 family visit to Saudi Arabia over online remarks. He was sentenced to more than 19 years on terrorism charges, which were later reduced to “cyber crimes.” Almadi was freed in 2023 but placed under an exit ban that prevented him from leaving the country.
“This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration,” the Almadi family said in a statement Wednesday.
“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department,” the statement added. The family also thanked the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh for keeping Almadi “safe.”
“No American Left Behind. That is President @realDonaldTrump’s promise from Day One,” Gorka posted to X alongside the family’s statement.
One of the social media posts that drew Saudi authorities’ attention called for a street in the kingdom’s capital to be renamed after Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist murdered in 2018 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence assessments released in 2021 concluded the crown prince approved the operation to detain or kill Khashoggi, though he has denied involvement.
The Almadi statement came shortly after Trump delivered remarks at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. On Tuesday, Trump said the crown prince “knew nothing” about Khashoggi’s killing, drawing criticism from press freedom groups.
“We are so excited for the family that Mr. Almadi is finally on his way back to the United States! We know how long and hard the family fought to make this day possible,” the Foley Foundation, which advocates for Americans detained overseas, said in a statement to The Hill.