Saad Almadi, a dual Saudi-American who was arrested in Saudi Arabia and barred from leaving the country for four years, is finally on his way back to the United States, according to his son, Ibrahim Almadi.
The release was reportedly secured during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the U.S., which included a White House meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Family Confirms Diplomatic Efforts
Ibrahim Almadi told media that the release “would not have been possible without” Trump, White House aide Sebastian Gorka, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Ibrahim recounted running into Johnson at a restaurant, where the top House Republican agreed to advocate for his father’s case.
Upon receiving a direct phone call from his father confirming the exit ban would be lifted, Ibrahim said he was “shocked” and immediately booked the earliest flight for his father to return to the U.S.
Role of U.S. Officials
It remains unclear whether Trump directly intervened or if Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman authorized the lifting of the exit ban. Ibrahim Almadi indicated that, despite public diplomacy and hospitality extended to Saudi officials, U.S. pressure played a crucial role in resolving the case.
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Background on Saad Almadi’s Arrest
Saad Almadi, 75, was arrested in 2021 on terrorism charges linked to a series of 14 tweets, including commentary on the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The charges were later reduced to “cyber crimes,” resulting in his release from detention but imposition of an exit ban extending until 2054.
Before his release, Ibrahim Almadi credited the U.S. State Department with “saving his life” by securing the reduction of charges. He expressed confidence that a single call to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would be sufficient to lift the ban and allow his father to leave Saudi Arabia.
