Dhahban Central Prison: Difference between revisions
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'''Dhahban Central Prison''' ({{ |
'''Dhahban Central Prison''' ({{langx|ar|سجن المباحث العامة بذهبان}}), also known as '''Dhahban Prison''',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mazzetti |first1=Mark |last2=Ben |first2=Hubbard |title=It Wasn't Just Khashoggi: A Saudi Prince's Brutal Drive to Crush Dissent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/world/middleeast/khashoggi-crown-prince-saudi.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=19 March 2019 |date=2019-03-17 |quote=The women were later moved to the Dhahban Prison in Jidda, where the physical abuse stopped and their relatives were allowed to visit, Ms. al-Hathloul said.}}</ref> is a maximum-security [[prison]] facility located near [[Dahaban]], [[Jeddah]], in [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pregnant-saudi-arwa-baghdadi-forced-give-birth-357537 |title=Pregnant US-Saudi Arwa Baghdadi to Give Birth in Jeddah Prison |work=[[International Business Times]]|date=28 June 2012 }}</ref> It was built in 2015 as part of a renovation of the Jeddah Prisons infrastructure, at a cost of SR400 million.<ref name="built">{{cite news |last1=Alawi |first1=Ibrahim |title=New prison facility opens at Dhahban |url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/144620/New-prison-facility-opens-at-Dhahban |accessdate=21 November 2018 |work=Saudi Gazette |date=16 December 2015 |location=Jeddah |language=en |publisher=[[Saudi Gazette]]}}</ref> It has the capacity to hold 7,500 inmates.<ref name="built" /> When it opened, 3,000 inmates were transferred there from [[Braiman Prison]].<ref name="built" /> In 2015, the regional director for prisons [[Mani Al-Otaibi]] said it was the most advanced prison in Saudi Arabia, with state of the art surveillance technologies.<ref name="built" /> |
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The facility is used to hold high |
The facility is used to hold high-profile [[political prisoner]]s, as well as members of [[al-Qaeda]] and the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]].<ref name=Aldrich>{{cite web |last1=Aldrich |first1=Mark |title=Inside Raif Badawi's Prison Cell |url=https://thegadabouttown.com/2016/04/17/inside-raif-badawis-prison-cell/ |publisher=The Gad About Town |accessdate=21 November 2018 |location=Goshen, US. |language=en |date=18 April 2016}}</ref> It holds male and female prisoners,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Al-Ghamdi |first1=Fawz |title=Female inmates in Dhahban prison encouraged to hone their skills |url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/533456/SAUDI-ARABIA/Female-inmates-in-Dhahban-prison-encouraged-to-hone-their-skills |accessdate=21 November 2018 |work=Saudi Gazette |agency=Okaz |date=24 April 2018 |location=Jeddah |language=en}}</ref> as well as some small children of female prisoners.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Al-Ghamdi |first1=Fawz |title=Female inmates in Dhahban prison encouraged to hone their skills |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/female-inmates-in-dhahban-prison-encouraged-to-hone-their-skills/ar-AAwhGYd |website=www.msn.com |publisher=Saudi Gazette |accessdate=21 November 2018 |language=en-AE |date=24 April 2018}}</ref> It has been alleged that the female inmates have been tortured.<ref>{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia 'tortured women activists' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-46283364 |accessdate=21 November 2018 |work=BBC News |date=21 November 2018}}</ref> Detained female activists were electrocuted and flogged repeatedly, according to [[Amnesty International]],<ref name =amnesty>{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia: Reports of torture and sexual harassment of detained activists |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/11/saudi-arabia-reports-of-torture-and-sexual-harassment-of-detained-activists/ |website=www.amnesty.org |date=20 November 2018 |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |accessdate=21 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref> and [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia: Detained Women Reported Tortured |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/11/20/saudi-arabia-detained-women-reported-tortured |website=hrw.org |publisher=Human Rights Watch |accessdate=21 November 2018 |language=en |date=20 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sabah |first1=Zaid |last2=Nereim |first2=Vivian |title=Saudi Prison Officials Tortured Detained Activists, Groups Say |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-20/saudi-prison-officials-tortured-detained-activists-groups-say |website=www.bloomberg.com |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]] |accessdate=21 November 2018 |language=en |date=20 November 2018}}</ref> An anonymous Saudi official denied that torture was condoned by the state.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fahim |first1=Kareem |title=Jailed Saudi women's rights activists said to face electric shocks, beatings and other abuse |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/saudi-womens-rights-advocates-reportedly-abused-while-in-prison/2018/11/20/9e77f11c-ebfb-11e8-9236-bb94154151d2_story.html |accessdate=21 November 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=20 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Saudi Arabia claims that inmates get "top treatment".<ref>{{cite web |title=Terrorism prisoners get 'top treatment' |url=http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/714421 |publisher=Arab News |accessdate=21 November 2018 |language=en |date=6 March 2015}}</ref> |
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The Badawi siblings are currently being held in this prison; with the Government of Canada demanding their release, and subsequently the Saudi Arabian Government expelled the Ambassador of Canada to Saudi Arabia and recalled the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Canada, along with diplomatic staff and Saudi Arabian students in Canada. Some of which have sought asylum as a result of this. |
The Badawi siblings are currently being held in this prison; with the Government of Canada demanding their release, and subsequently the Saudi Arabian Government expelled the Ambassador of Canada to Saudi Arabia and recalled the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Canada, along with diplomatic staff and Saudi Arabian students in Canada. Some of which have sought asylum as a result of this. |
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== Allegations of torture == |
== Allegations of torture == |
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Several [[Saudi Arabia]]n activists |
Several [[Saudi Arabia]]n activists are reported to have been detained without charge in Dhahban Prison since May 2018. The activists have been repeatedly tortured by [[electrocution]] and [[flogging]], leaving many of them unable to walk or even stand properly. According to the three testimonies obtained by [[Amnesty International]], one of the activists was forced to hang from the ceiling. Another woman was subjected to repeated sexual harassment by interrogators, who wore masks over their faces.<ref name=amnesty/> Despite the evidence presented by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia’s media ministry has denied all such allegations.<ref name="HRW_20181206">{{cite web|url= https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/12/06/saudi-arabia-allow-access-detained-women-activists|title=Saudi Arabia: Allow Access to Detained Women Activists|date=6 December 2018 |accessdate=6 December 2018|publisher=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> |
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On 28 November 2018, another woman was allegedly tortured inside the prison, according to a report released by Human Rights Watch. As per the report, Saudi authorities tortured the activist with electric shocks, tied her down to a steel bed and whipped her, while also being sexually harassed.<ref name="HRW_20181206"/> |
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==Notable inmates== |
==Notable inmates== |
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In November 2018, prominent inmates detained in Dhahban Central Prison included: |
In November 2018, prominent inmates detained in Dhahban Central Prison included: |
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* [[Waleed Abulkhair]]<ref>{{cite news |author1=Javier El-Hage |author2=Celine Assaf Boustani |authorlink1=Javier El-Hage |title=Waleed Abulkhair sits in a Saudi jail for speaking out |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/waleed-abulkhair-sits-in-a-saudi-jail-for-speaking-out/2016/07/11/185a0934-479e-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html |accessdate=21 November 2018 | |
* [[Waleed Abulkhair]]<ref>{{cite news |author1=Javier El-Hage |author2=Celine Assaf Boustani |authorlink1=Javier El-Hage |title=Waleed Abulkhair sits in a Saudi jail for speaking out |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/waleed-abulkhair-sits-in-a-saudi-jail-for-speaking-out/2016/07/11/185a0934-479e-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html |accessdate=21 November 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=12 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref> |
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* [[Raif Badawi]]<ref name="Aldrich" /> |
* [[Raif Badawi]]<ref name="Aldrich" /> |
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* [[Samar Badawi]]<ref name="amnesty" /> |
* [[Samar Badawi]]<ref name="amnesty" /> |
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Latest revision as of 10:53, 5 November 2024
  Dhahban Central Prison | |
| Location | Dahaban |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 21°51′09″N 39°07′57″E / 21.85250°N 39.13250°E |
| Status | Active |
| Capacity | 7,500 |
| Population | 3,000+ (as of 2015) |
| Opened | 2015 |
| Director | Mani Al-Otaibi |
| City | Jeddah |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
Dhahban Central Prison (Arabic: سجن المباحث العامة بذهبان), also known as Dhahban Prison,[1] is a maximum-security prison facility located near Dahaban, Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.[2] It was built in 2015 as part of a renovation of the Jeddah Prisons infrastructure, at a cost of SR400 million.[3] It has the capacity to hold 7,500 inmates.[3] When it opened, 3,000 inmates were transferred there from Braiman Prison.[3] In 2015, the regional director for prisons Mani Al-Otaibi said it was the most advanced prison in Saudi Arabia, with state of the art surveillance technologies.[3]
The facility is used to hold high-profile political prisoners, as well as members of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.[4] It holds male and female prisoners,[5] as well as some small children of female prisoners.[6] It has been alleged that the female inmates have been tortured.[7] Detained female activists were electrocuted and flogged repeatedly, according to Amnesty International,[8] and Human Rights Watch.[9][10] An anonymous Saudi official denied that torture was condoned by the state.[11] Saudi Arabia claims that inmates get "top treatment".[12]
The Badawi siblings are currently being held in this prison; with the Government of Canada demanding their release, and subsequently the Saudi Arabian Government expelled the Ambassador of Canada to Saudi Arabia and recalled the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Canada, along with diplomatic staff and Saudi Arabian students in Canada. Some of which have sought asylum as a result of this.
Allegations of torture
[edit]Several Saudi Arabian activists are reported to have been detained without charge in Dhahban Prison since May 2018. The activists have been repeatedly tortured by electrocution and flogging, leaving many of them unable to walk or even stand properly. According to the three testimonies obtained by Amnesty International, one of the activists was forced to hang from the ceiling. Another woman was subjected to repeated sexual harassment by interrogators, who wore masks over their faces.[8] Despite the evidence presented by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia’s media ministry has denied all such allegations.[13]
On 28 November 2018, another woman was allegedly tortured inside the prison, according to a report released by Human Rights Watch. As per the report, Saudi authorities tortured the activist with electric shocks, tied her down to a steel bed and whipped her, while also being sexually harassed.[13]
Notable inmates
[edit]
In November 2018, prominent inmates detained in Dhahban Central Prison included:
- Waleed Abulkhair[14]
- Raif Badawi[4]
- Samar Badawi[8]
- Nassima al-Sadah[15]
- Loujain al-Hathloul[8] (In al-Ha'ir Prison by February 2019[16])
- Iman al-Nafjan[8]
- Aziza al-Yousef[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Mazzetti, Mark; Ben, Hubbard (2019-03-17). "It Wasn't Just Khashoggi: A Saudi Prince's Brutal Drive to Crush Dissent". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
The women were later moved to the Dhahban Prison in Jidda, where the physical abuse stopped and their relatives were allowed to visit, Ms. al-Hathloul said.
- ^ "Pregnant US-Saudi Arwa Baghdadi to Give Birth in Jeddah Prison". International Business Times. 28 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d Alawi, Ibrahim (16 December 2015). "New prison facility opens at Dhahban". Saudi Gazette. Jeddah: Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ a b Aldrich, Mark (18 April 2016). "Inside Raif Badawi's Prison Cell". Goshen, US.: The Gad About Town. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ Al-Ghamdi, Fawz (24 April 2018). "Female inmates in Dhahban prison encouraged to hone their skills". Saudi Gazette. Jeddah. Okaz. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ Al-Ghamdi, Fawz (24 April 2018). "Female inmates in Dhahban prison encouraged to hone their skills". www.msn.com. Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia 'tortured women activists'". BBC News. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Saudi Arabia: Reports of torture and sexual harassment of detained activists". www.amnesty.org. Amnesty International. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: Detained Women Reported Tortured". hrw.org. Human Rights Watch. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ Sabah, Zaid; Nereim, Vivian (20 November 2018). "Saudi Prison Officials Tortured Detained Activists, Groups Say". www.bloomberg.com. Bloomberg News. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ Fahim, Kareem (20 November 2018). "Jailed Saudi women's rights activists said to face electric shocks, beatings and other abuse". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Terrorism prisoners get 'top treatment'". Arab News. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Saudi Arabia: Allow Access to Detained Women Activists". Human Rights Watch. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
- ^ Javier El-Hage; Celine Assaf Boustani (12 July 2016). "Waleed Abulkhair sits in a Saudi jail for speaking out". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: Saudi Activist held in Solitary Confinement: Nassima al-Sada". 20 February 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ^ Brother of Saudi women’s rights activist ‘being tortured in prison’ fears her treatment is getting worse, Maya Oppenheim, 22 February 2019, The Independent