UK businessman detained in Saudi Arabia for nine years after trip to Australia
Rami Naimi, a London businessman, was detained in Saudi Arabia for nine years after being stopped in Dubai while returning from Australia.
Rami Naimi, 51, was travelling with his father Ali al-Naimi, a former Saudi oil minister, when he departed Sydney to fly home in November 2017. During a transit through Dubai Airport, he was stopped by border officials, taken to Abu Dhabi, then flown to Riyadh where he was detained at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Rami Naimi's family says he was imprisoned, interrogated, and allegedly tortured during a roundup of 400 powerful people in a so-called anti-corruption sweep ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Over nine years, his family claims he has been imprisoned twice, forced to hand over his savings, tried in secret, and kept under constant watch. His wife and three adult children say they were advised to keep the situation quiet to improve chances of his release through private and diplomatic channels.
- Nine years
- Duration of detention
- Sydney, November 2017
- Departure
- 51
- Age at detention
- 400 people detained
- Roundup scale
Why it mattersThe case exposes risks faced by international travellers passing through Gulf airports and highlights concerns about arbitrary detention and alleged torture in Saudi Arabia.
AustraliaThe detention began after a trip to Australia; the family is now making the case public and seeking international help, signalling Australia may play a diplomatic role.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 12 d ago
