Amnesty International Calls for Release of Detained Sudanese Political Activist in UAE

Amnesty International has called on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sudanese political activist and transitional justice advocate Mohamed Farouk Salman Mahmoud, who has been held since January 2025 without formal charges or trial.

In a statement, the organization said Mohamed Farouk was detained while preparing to leave Dubai International Airport on 19 January 2025, before security forces took him to his home, searched it, confiscated his personal devices, and held him in an undisclosed location for weeks. He was later transferred to Al-Sadr Prison in Abu Dhabi.

Amnesty International said UAE authorities indicated in April 2025 that the investigation related to “insulting the head of state,” but noted that no formal charges have been filed despite more than a year of detention.

The organization also expressed concern over Mohamed Farouk’s health condition, stating that he was recovering from major surgery at the time of his arrest, raising “serious concerns” about his wellbeing, detention conditions, and access to medical care.

Mohamed Farouk Salman Mahmoud is known for his work on transitional justice and human rights issues in Sudan.