Saad Almadi, a 75-year-old U.S. resident detained in Saudi Arabia after posting criticism online, has been cleared to leave the country following a multi-year ordeal. His release, coming after high-level meetings between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, prompted public gratitude from his family and attention from advocates who had campaigned for his freedom.
Almadi is a retired engineer who had lived in the United States since 1976 and was detained during a family visit to Riyadh in 2021. He was originally sentenced to more than 19 years on charges tied to a set of social media posts, a case that drew concern from human rights groups and some U.S. lawmakers.
Over time those severe charges were reduced to cyber crimes, and Almadi was released from prison in 2023 but remained trapped in Saudi Arabia under an exit ban that prevented him from returning to the United States. The exit ban turned a legal victory into a long bureaucratic limbo for the family, who kept pressing for diplomatic help and public attention to the case.
The timing of Almadi’s final release came as President Donald Trump hosted the Saudi crown prince in Washington, and the family publicly credited the administration’s intervention. They made their feelings clear in a statement that underscored how much the moment meant to them and who they held responsible for bringing their father home.
“Our family is overjoyed that, after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way home to the United States!” they said.
“This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”
Beyond the family’s praise, others involved in the long campaign to free Almadi chimed in. The Foley Foundation, which advocates for Americans detained overseas, expressed support and relief, saying it was “so excited” the family’s fight had finally succeeded, while members of Congress and nonprofit groups had kept the case in public view.
Pressures to remove Almadi’s travel restrictions grew after Mr. Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia earlier in the year, and the president’s national security advisor met with Almadi’s son at the White House as part of those efforts. That level of direct engagement signaled to advocates and the family that the matter had moved into the realm of high-priority diplomacy.
Reports indicate Almadi boarded a flight from Riyadh bound for the United States on Wednesday, a moment his relatives described as the end of a long nightmare and the start of rebuilding. The situation had also rekindled debates about free expression, the treatment of dissidents abroad, and the role of U.S. diplomacy in securing Americans’ safe return.
The case underscores how private citizens can become entangled in foreign legal systems after posting online, especially when criticism touches sensitive topics. It also shows how persistent advocacy from family, nongovernmental organizations, and sympathetic lawmakers can keep a case alive until diplomatic channels reopen and allow a resolution.
Darnell Thompkins is a conservative opinion writer from Atlanta, GA, known for his insightful commentary on politics, culture, and community issues. With a passion for championing traditional values and personal responsibility, Darnell brings a thoughtful Southern perspective to the national conversation. His writing aims to inspire meaningful dialogue and advocate for policies that strengthen families and empower individuals.