Manahel al-Otaibi, 29, is known for upload videos to your social networks in which he is seen doing squats, biceps or abdominal exercises in sports clothing.

The Saudi influencer used her networks to share her exercise routines and defend women’s freedom in Saudi Arabia. “It is important for me to make my own decisions and not be limited by society, customs and traditions, especially in my country,” she herself has stated in interviews.

A freedom incompatible with the regime of Crown Prince Bin Salman. Detained since November 2022, she has now been csentenced to 11 years in prison for terrorism crimes.

Saudi Arabia accuses him of defaming the kingdom and calling for rebellion against public order and traditions. Although they deny that this has to do with her videos on social networks, for Amnesty International the complaint is based on how she dresses, not wearing the mandatory tunic for women, and his opposition to male guardianship.

Manahel is now in a regime of strict isolation in Al Malaz prison, with a broken leg, and has no medical assistance. So he has passed it on to her family with whom he has been able to speak after five months without them knowing anything about her.

Her sister Fouz, al-Otaibi, also an activist, denounces that she is being persecuted by the Saudi authorities and has asked in a message that “the fans of the football clubs in which Saudi Arabia has invested” join her “to ask for release from prison” from his sister Manahel. Furthermore, he claims that Manahel is a victim of torture just for defending women.