User:متسامح/sandbox

Zuhair Kutbi (12 February 1956-) is a Saudi reformist writer, commentator and a civil servant. He worked as a consultant with the local Mecca municipality for 30 years and was columnist for for Al Nadwa, Okaz and Makkah newspapers. Saudi authorities arrested him on July 15, 2015 after he was interviewed on the Pan-Arab satellite TV channel Rotana Khaleejia where he spoke about what he regarded as necessary reforms in Saudi Arabia, including transforming the country into a constitutional monarchy and combating religious and political repression. The authorities accused him of crimes including "sowing discord," "inciting public opinion," and "reducing the government's prestige." On December 21 2015, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced him to four years in prison, a five-year travel ban, and a 15-year ban on media appearances.