Multiple Human Rights Organizations Urge Bulgaria to Halt Deportation of Saudi Activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi
- Human Rights Research Center
- Nov 14, 2025
- 2 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
November 14, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns Bulgaria’s unlawful detention and planned deportation of Saudi activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi, which blatantly violates international human rights and non-refoulement obligations. HRRC urges Bulgarian authorities to ensure his immediate release and protection from persecution.
![Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi. [Image credit: Migrant Solidarity.]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0bfd75_d1fdb7a2ac2e4252b0bba2542b58eddf~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_960,h_541,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/0bfd75_d1fdb7a2ac2e4252b0bba2542b58eddf~mv2.jpeg)
Over twenty international and European human rights organisations have jointly appealed to the Bulgarian authorities to immediately halt the deportation of Saudi human rights defender Abdulrahman al-Bakr al-Khalidi, who faces imminent removal to Saudi Arabia after over four years of detention. The groups warn that al-Khalidi would face torture, an unfair trial or even the death penalty if returned, given his history of peaceful activism and dissent against Saudi authorities.
Al-Khalidi began his activism during the 2011 Arab Spring, joining the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) and participating in pro-reform protests. After the 2013 crackdown on fellow activists, he fled Saudi Arabia, later collaborating with journalist Jamal Khashoggi on the “Electronic Bees Army” to counter state disinformation. Facing increasing threats in Turkey, he sought asylum in the EU but was detained upon entering Bulgaria in October 2021. Despite applying for asylum and multiple court rulings in his favor, Bulgarian authorities have continued to detain him at Sofia’s Busmantsi Detention Centre, often under harsh conditions, and have extended his detention multiple times.
Human rights groups note that Bulgaria’s actions violate international and EU obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement. They urge Bulgaria to release al-Khalidi, guarantee his protection and investigate reports of his mistreatment in detention, including a reported police beating in 2024. They also call on the European Commission and Parliament to review EU funding and oversight of Bulgarian detention facilities until compliance with human rights standards is ensured.
Glossary
Appealed – asked a higher authority or court to review a decision.
Asylum – protection given by a country to someone escaping danger or persecution in their own country.
Blatant – very obvious and done without shame.
Compliance – act in accordance with a wish or command.
Crackdown – a strong action taken to stop or control something, usually by authorities.
Deportation – the act of sending someone out of a country by official order.
Detain – to keep someone in custody or prevent them from leaving.
Detention – the act of keeping someone under arrest or in custody.
Disinformation – false information spread deliberately to mislead people.
Dissent – disagreement or opposition to official ideas or policies.
Imminent – about to happen very soon.
Non-refoulement – a legal principle that forbids sending someone back to a country where they may face harm.
Obligations – duties or responsibilities that must be fulfilled.
Parliament – the law-making body of a country.
Persecution – unfair or cruel treatment, especially because of one’s beliefs or identity.
Pro-reform – supporting changes or improvements, usually in politics or society.
Ruling – an official decision made by a court or authority.
Trial – a formal examination in court to decide if someone is guilty or not.
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