An American citizen who served jail time in Saudi Arabia and was banned from leaving the country after his release in 2023 will now be released after a meeting between Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump at the White House.
Police in Saudi Arabia arrested 75-year-old Saad Almadi during a family visit in 2021 after he suggested on X that a street in the country's capital be renamed after Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who died at a Saudi Arabian consulate in 2018.
He was accused of terrorism for that criticism of the Saudi royal family, sentenced to 13 years in jail, but was only jailed until 2023. He was not allowed to leave the country after being released, however.
Almadi's family was grateful for his release and credited Trump with arranging it.
"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 after his release was announced. “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”
Why did the Saudi royal family consider Almadi's post to be critical of it?
Because there have been long-standing accusations that the crown prince ordered the operation that took Khashoggi out, even though Salman denies that he did so.
And how does criticizing the royal family of Saudi Arabia get turned into terrorism?
Well, you're on your own with that one.
In addition to Almadi's release, Trump also seemed to get another $400,000 in U.S. investments out of Salman.
It was a very productive meeting, by all accounts.
Trump has often bragged about his positive relationship with Saudi Arabia, but it hasn't always been evident in how the country has treated the U.S.
Now, Salman seems to be pleased with Trump's policies and appreciative that Trump is letting the whole Khashoggi thing slide. Not sure if that's a good idea or not, but I guess it's water under the $1 billion bridge now.
