Full Breakdown
Alleged Saudi Abduction and Detention of Businessman Rami Naimi
9/8/2026, 11:56:37 PM
Alleged Abduction and Detention
British-Saudi businessman Rami Naimi, son of former Saudi oil minister Ali Al-Naimi, was reportedly seized in Dubai in 2017 while returning from a book-tour trip to Australia with his father. His family says he was blindfolded, taken by car to Abu Dhabi and then flown to Saudi Arabia, where he was placed among roughly 400 elite detainees rounded up at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh. The family alleges that Naimi was tortured—electrocuted, water-boarded and psychologically abused—for three months, falsely told his father was also being tortured, and released in early 2018 after signing a “settlement agreement.” He was later forced to pledge 5 billion Saudi riyals (later reduced to 1 billion riyals, about £200 million), a sum his family says he does not possess. After a period of disappearance from 2022 to 2024, Naimi was again detained, allegedly subjected to further torture, and held in Al Ha’ir prison under electronic surveillance. In March 2025 he was sentenced in a secret trial to six years’ imprisonment on charges of exploiting his father’s influence and acting for a U.S. company in Saudi Arabia. He remains barred from leaving the kingdom and his communications are monitored.
Timeline of Detentions and Trials
- 2017 – Initial abduction in Dubai and transfer to Saudi Arabia.
- Early 2018 – Release after signing settlement; forced financial pledge.
- 2022–2024 – Re-detention and alleged torture; held in Al Ha’ir prison.
- March 2025 – Secret trial and six-year sentence.
- 2026 – Family launches public campaign in London; seeks UK government support.
Official Responses and Legal Advocacy
The UK Foreign Office declined comment, and the Saudi embassy in London has been approached for comment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Until today we have no idea why Rami was targeted,” — Mira Lozi — Mira Lozi, wife of Rami Naimi
Broader Implications
The Naimi case resurfaces scrutiny of the United Kingdom’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, amid concerns over arms sales, public executions and the targeting of exiled activists. It also follows the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which intensified global criticism of Saudi security practices. Campaigners hope the publicity will pressure diplomatic channels to secure Naimi’s release.
