Flight home from Australia was start of man's Saudi 'horror story'
The family of a man blocked from leaving Saudi Arabia for almost 10 years goes public, claiming he has been tortured and subjected to sham trials, after the failure of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to free him.
Mira Lozi, whose husband Rami Naimi disappeared in 2017, described her husband's ordeal as a "horror story." In November 2017, Rami, a successful businessman and father-of-three, was travelling from Sydney to London with his father, former Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali al-Naimi, after wrapping up a book tour in Australia. He never made it to Heathrow Airport.
Instead, he was stopped by border officials at Dubai Airport, taken to Abu Dhabi, and flown to Riyadh by private jet. He was detained at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel during the massive anti-corruption sweep ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Rami was interrogated, tortured, and held captive for two months before being released but not allowed to leave the country.
Rami's family claims he was held for nine years without any charges, due process, or fair treatment. They allege he was forced to hand over his life savings, tried in a secret court, and constantly monitored. The family believes Rami was targeted due to his father's influence, but Rami denies any wrongdoing. He was recently charged with exploiting his father's official influence and attempting to leave the kingdom without permission, both of which he denies.
The family is now launching a #BRINGRAMIHOME campaign to bring their father home, after Ms. Lozi was diagnosed with cancer.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
