Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The family of 75-year-old Saad Almadi, an American citizen, is optimistic that President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia may lead to his release. They informed the Post that Almadi is facing yet another trial due to his social media criticisms of the government.
Almadi, a dual citizen and retired engineer who has resided in the U.S. since the 1970s, was arrested during a visit in late 2021. He subsequently received a 19-year prison sentence for tweets criticizing the government from his home in Florida.
He was released in 2023 but remains barred from leaving the country.
His family hopes that Trump might leverage his strong connections with Saudi officials, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to facilitate Almadi’s return home.
“He tried to travel to Dubai a couple of months ago, back in March. They told him, ‘You can’t travel; please check with the Ministry of Home Affairs.’ When he reached out, he was informed he still faces trial and can’t leave for 19 years,” explained his son, Ibrahim Almadi.
“In court, they mentioned the charges were dropped, yet they still won’t let him travel. The court system here is just a mess.”
Upon arriving in Saudi Arabia, Trump received a lavish welcome, emphasizing his priority of securing the release of Americans abroad, including those in his entourage.
Just days earlier, Trump had facilitated the release of Edan Alexander, a dual U.S. citizen held by Hamas in Gaza, utilizing unconventional diplomatic approaches.
In addition, Trump’s envoy, Adam Bohler, successfully negotiated the release of 23 Americans from custody in Kuwait during March and April.
Almadi is among several dual U.S. citizens currently facing travel restrictions in Saudi Arabia due to an intensified crackdown on dissent. Reports suggest that his son has been pressured to renounce his American citizenship, though it’s uncertain if the U.S. government is aware of these developments.
Almadi reportedly lost significant weight during his year and a half in prison, according to his son.
The case revolves around relatively minor social media posts by American standards, such as encouraging Saudi citizens to seek citizenship elsewhere and critiquing the government’s defense efforts against Houthi missiles.
He also expressed support for a Washington, D.C. official who renamed a street in honor of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
“Almadi shares Trump’s Florida residency and Republican affiliation, so it makes sense that Almadi could find his way back aboard Air Force One,” commented Ali Al Ahmed, a Saudi native now residing in the U.S.
Ibrahim Almadi mentioned his recent conversation with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who indicated that President Trump, known for negotiating deals, could help win his father’s freedom.
“I agree with Mike Johnson,” Ibrahim stated. “Trump is a dealmaker and has solid ties with Saudi Arabia, which should make securing my father’s release more feasible.”
Previously, Ibrahim expressed frustration with former President Biden for not advocating for his father’s case during a 2022 visit, which was primarily aimed at addressing fuel prices before the midterm elections. After that trip, Almadi’s initial 16-year sentence was increased to 19 years.
Trump’s campaign highlighted his record of securing the release of detained Americans, contrasting it with Biden’s perceived shortcomings on the matter.
Now, Ibrahim Almadi views the situation as a test for the current administration.
“Trump stated that America is respected globally right now,” he remarked. “[My father] is up against a 19-year travel ban and trial.”
Neither the White House nor the Saudi embassy in Washington provided immediate comments.
