Saudi Arabia releases U.S. citizen after 4 years following Trump meeting
Trump says Saudis ‘don’t make many passes’
President Donald Trump drew laughter from the crowd at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum on Wednesday when he declared that Saudi Arabians “don’t transition very much” when talking about biological males playing women’s sports.
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A US citizen imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for criticizing the royal family online was released by Saudi authorities on Wednesday, ending a four-year ordeal in the country. media reports.
Saad Almadi’s release comes just one day after President Donald Trump met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, DC. New York Post.
Almadi, 75, a retired engineer and U.S. resident since 1976, was detained during a family visit to Riyadh in 2021 and later sentenced to more than 19 years in prison on terrorism charges linked to a series of online posts.
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President Donald Trump walks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the official state arrival ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13, 2025 (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The charges were reduced to cyber crimes, and although he was released from prison in 2023, Almadi was kept in the country under an exit ban that prevented him from returning to the United States.
The Almadi family released a statement Wednesday celebrating the good news and thanking Trump.
“Our family is delighted that after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way to the United States!” they said.
“This day would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of President Donald Trump and his administration. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”
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The third part of the statement expressed appreciation for others who have supported the cause over the years.
“We thank the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh for keeping our father safe, and the nonprofit organizations and members of Congress who fought for his freedom,” the statement said. The statement was included.
Almadi’s case also attracted the attention of human rights groups and US lawmakers after he was charged with terrorism over 14 social media posts.
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Someone suggested naming a street in Washington after Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
US pressure to lift Almadi’s exit ban has also intensified since Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia in May.
The president’s national security adviser, Sebastian Gorka, also met with Almadi’s son at the White House.
Sebastian Gorka at the 2024 Mothers for Freedom National Summit in Washington, DC, on Friday, August 30, 2024. (DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Foley Foundation, Advocates for Americans detained abroad praised the news Wednesday and said they were “very excited” that the family’s fight had finally succeeded.
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According to reports, Almadi was flying to the US from Riyadh on Wednesday after Trump and the crown prince appeared on stage at a forum in Washington.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Sebastian Gorka, the State Department and the White House for comment.
