Prominent Saudi Muslim cleric Awad Al Qarni
RIYADH: The health condition of Awad Al Qarni, a prominent Saudi Muslim cleric arrested in late 2017, has deteriorated markedly following more than a year behind bars, Saudi activists said Tuesday.
"Al-Qarni has been hospitalized since mid-December following a severe deterioration of his health,” Saudi activists, speaking anonymously on the "m3takl” Twitter account, said.
The same source went on to assert that Al Qarni’s health had deteriorated due to "neglect” by the Saudi prison authorities and the "heavy psychological pressure” to which he is being subjected.
Al-Qarni was one of several preachers, academics and writers arrested by the Saudi authorities in a crackdown carried out in late 2017.
The same campaign also saw the arrest of prominent Saudi preacher Salman Al Awda.
Al Qarni’s ongoing detention -- and news of his declining health condition -- comes amid mounting international criticism of Saudi Arabia following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country’s consulate in Istanbul last October.
