Saudi Fitness Instructor Attacked In Jail Amid Women’s Rights Activism

Manahel al-Otaibi, a fitness instructor and social media influencer, has been stabbed in the face inside prison for her outspoken views on women’s rights. A 30-year-old woman, she was sentenced to 11 years in prison in January for “terrorist offenses” in a closed trial widely condemned. Activists say this is the case that best depicts the lack of seriousness taken by Saudi Arabia in its efforts at human rights reform.

This week, Manahel told her family that she was stabbed by an unknown person with a sharp pen. Manahel received stitches after the alleged stabbing. The family tried to file a report at Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission, but never received a response. Manahel and her sisters, Maryam and Fawzia, have received threats and even been arrested as a result of their activists through social media regarding women empowerment and support for removing male guardianship, which they did using the hashtag #IAmMyOwnGuardian.

Manahel was charged with conducting a campaign to urge girls to shun the practices and traditions of their religion and culture. Authorities took her in in November 2022 after she tweeted for women’s rights and published photos that weren’t considered modest under traditional garb. During her detention at Riyadh’s Al-Malaz prison, Manahel has been subjected to inmate and guard assaults and forcibly disappeared since November 2023, without her family being informed, until April.

Fawzia narrowly escaped arrest by fleeing to Bahrain but said Manahel was afraid but still brave enough to reveal the attack despite threats. “I believe they are punishing and torturing Manahel because they cannot punish me,” Fawzia said, warning that if communication stops, it likely means Manahel is being further punished.

Lina al-Hathloul, ALQST, a Saudi organization tracking human rights in the kingdom, commented on the ruling: “This is just one more in a long line of appalling attacks that Manahel has suffered while behind bars. Not only does this allow the abuse but also through the denial of ability to file complaints and keeping her in solitary confinement.”.

According to Amnesty International’s Bissan Fakih, it is difficult to get over the “sportswashing” of the Saudi regime: it does not really leave much room to bring pressure to bear on the authorities for the release of individuals like Manahel. The Saudi embassy in London is being contacted for comment.