Saudi Arabia, Florida retiree, American citizenship, social media posts, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, U.S.-Saudi relations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Arabia has forced a Florida retiree to try to renounce his American citizenship after jailing him over social media posts critical of the kingdom’s crown prince, according to the man’s son.
Pressure to Relinquish Citizenship
The retiree, 74-year-old Saad Almadi, is one of at least four dual Saudi-American nationals who accuse Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s government of pressuring them to give up their U.S. citizenship, a U.S.-based Middle East human rights group said.
Alleged Tactics
The alleged tactic by a key strategic partner of the U.S., which has not been previously reported, tracks with similar efforts to silence even mild criticism, including the threat of imprisonment and exit bans like the one that has kept Almadi from returning to the U.S. after being released from more than a year in a Saudi prison.
Complications for U.S.-Saudi Relations
The plight of the elder Almadi and others could complicate U.S. efforts to turn the page on tensions arising from the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Political Dynamics
President Joe Biden in his 2020 campaign vowed to make pariahs out of Saudi royals after U.S. intelligence officials concluded that the crown prince authorized the killing of the U.S.-based journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The prince has denied any involvement.
Current Situation
The exit ban against Almadi in Saudi Arabia, and similar practices against dual nationals by China, are aimed less at extracting foreign policy concessions from the U.S. than arbitrary arrests by adversaries such as Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. But they can damage relations.
Advocacy for Release
Almadi's son has been advocating for his father's release, reaching out to the State Department officials to secure his father's freedom.
