American-Saudi Citizen Faces Pressure to Renounce U.S. Citizenship Following Imprisonment in Saudi Arabia

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Saad Almadi, a 74-year-old American-Saudi dual citizen, is reportedly facing coercion from Saudi authorities to renounce his U.S. citizenship after being imprisoned for social media posts critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Following his release from a Saudi prison in March 2023, Almadi received an exit ban preventing him from returning to his home in Florida. His son, Ibrahim Almadi, claims that Saudi officials threatened his father with further restrictions if he did not comply with the demands to give up his American citizenship.

According to a U.S.-based human rights group, Almadi is among several dual nationals expressing similar concerns regarding coercive practices by the Saudi government aimed at silencing dissent. Ibrahim has criticized the Biden administration's response to his father's situation, stating that if this were a matter involving countries like Russia or Iran, the U.S. would have acted more decisively.

The Saudi government, which does not recognize dual citizenship, has maintained that its actions are part of broader efforts to combat corruption and security threats. U.S. officials have confirmed that Almadi remains a U.S. citizen and are working to provide him with consular support. Advocacy groups are calling for greater U.S. intervention to assist Almadi and other detained or restricted American citizens in Saudi Arabia.

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