Inside MBS’s prison system

The modus operandi is often the same. At any time of the day or night, without making much noise, a convoy of cars blocks access to the neighborhood. A commando of armed men arrives in civilian clothes, without an arrest warrant or a search warrant. The targeted home is searched from top to bottom, personal and electronic belongings are confiscated and the wanted individual is arrested and held without communication. Without explanation.The Saudi mabahith (secret police)’s machine is well oiled. While it became a State Security agency in 2017, its teams answer directly to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Its mission: to silence, under the guise of countering terrorism, any voice deemed too disturbing for the authorities.For having called for social and religious reforms or for having expressed an opinion critical of the...