Saudi Businessman Rami Naimi Detained for Nine Years Amid Torture Allegations

Rami Naimi, a businessman and son of former Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi, has been unable to leave Saudi Arabia for nine years. His family claims he was detained in 2017 during a stopover in Dubai and taken to Riyadh, where he was held at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

The family alleges that Naimi was interrogated, tortured with electric shocks and subjected to simulated drowning during his initial two-month detention. He was later imprisoned twice and forced to hand over his savings.

Naimi denies charges of using his father's official influence to help an American company obtain a contract with Saudi Aramco. A closed court sentenced him to six years in prison, but he is currently under electronic ankle monitor living with his seriously ill father.