Arabic version: عائلة رامي النعيمي تطلب المساعدة بعد احتجازه في السعودية

According to ABC News, the family of Rami Naimi has launched a public campaign seeking his return after he was detained in Saudi Arabia following a 2017 trip to Australia with his father, former Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi.

Naimi, an international businessman and father of three who had settled in London as a UK resident, left Sydney in November 2017 but did not reach Heathrow Airport. His wife, Mira Lozi, said she later learned that he was stopped while transiting through Dubai, taken to Abu Dhabi and flown by private jet to Riyadh.

The family alleges he was held at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel during a Saudi anti-corruption round-up and was interrogated, electrocuted and waterboarded. They say he was later released but barred from leaving Saudi Arabia, imprisoned twice, forced to hand over his life savings, tried in secret and kept under surveillance. Saudi Arabia’s government did not respond to ABC questions about the case.

Last year, Saudi officials charged Naimi with exploiting his father’s official influence, alleging he helped a US company obtain an Aramco contract while acting as its agent in the kingdom. Naimi denies the allegation. He was sentenced to six years in a closed court but has remained outside prison wearing an electronic tag. Other accusations, including following accounts described as hostile to Saudi Arabia and trying to leave without permission, remain before the courts.

His legal team, led by barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, says the family went public after years of private efforts produced no progress. Lozi, who was diagnosed with cancer two months ago, described the campaign as a last resort. The team is seeking support from British officials, Malta, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations. The EU said its diplomats had followed the case and stressed procedural fairness, transparency and respect for applicable international obligations.