Ruling bans Florida retiree from leaving Saudi Arabia until 2026 over critical social media posts

A Florida retiree has been convicted of cyber crimes and blocked from leaving Saudi Arabia until next year over social media posts critical of the kingdom’s crown prince, according to the man’s son.

MIAMI — A Florida retiree has been convicted of cyber crimes and blocked from leaving Saudi Arabia until next year over social media posts critical of the kingdom’s crown prince, according to the man’s son.

Saad Almadi, 75, was found guilty of distributing online content that undermines public order, according to a Sept. 14 ruling provided by his son. The conviction, which has not been previously reported, carries a three-year sentence but spares Almadi additional prison time after he spent more than a year behind bars following his arrest in 2021.

Instead, it blocks Almadi from leaving the kingdom until March. The Saudi government, which did not respond to a request for comment, doesn’t recognize dual citizenship and regularly rejects criticism of its actions, saying they are part of a multiyear crackdown on corruption, terrorism and other security threats.

The ruling comes after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave a lavish welcome to President Donald Trump during a May trip to Saudi Arabia, a key strategic partner of the United States. It built on efforts to reengage with the kingdom after the crown prince’s reputation was badly damaged by a U.S. intelligence determination that he had likely ordered the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Prince Mohammed denies his involvement.

Almadi’s son, Ibrahim Almadi, says he believes the sentence is aimed at prompting his family — and those of a handful of other American citizens facing similar exit bans — to stay silent and not get in the way of the crown prince’s diplomatic comeback.