A/HRC/48/28 imprisonment for providing false information to outside sources, including UN human rights mechanisms. Mr. Al Qahtani is currently held in Al-Ha’ir Prison in Riyadh. According to information received by OHCHR, in December 2020 and March 2021, Mr. Al Qahtani carried out hunger strikes jointly with other inmates to protest harassment and lack of family contact, access to books and essential medication. In April 2021, Mr. Al Qahtani reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and since 7 April 2021 has been denied any contact with the outside world. 120. On 16 February 2021, special procedures mandate holders addressed Mr. Al Qahtani’s situation and requested information, inter alia, on any restrictions placed on his contact with family members (SAU 3/2021). On 10 May 2021, the Government responded providing information about Mr. Al Qahtani’s sentence for national security offences and crimes punishable under the Repression of Cybercrime Act. 234 The Government stated that no restrictions have been placed on contact with family members beyond those related to COVID-19 and noted that the grounds for Mr. Al Qahtani’s hunger strike were investigated and addressed by the prison authorities. 121. The case of Mr. Essa Al Nukheifi, a human rights defender and anti-corruption activist, was included in the 2020, 2019 and 2018 reports of the Secretary-General 235 following his six-year prison sentence, with a six-year travel and social media ban upon release for his cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty to Saudi Arabia during a visit in January 2017 (SAU 2/2017). In November 2019, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that Mr. Al Nukheifi’s detention was arbitrary (A/HRC/WGAD/2019/71, paras. 76, 83, 90, 95), and raised particular concern about the reprisals against him for his consultation with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty (para. 93). Mr. Al Nukheifi is currently held in Al Ha’ir Prison in Riyadh. 122. According to information received by OHCHR, between 6 and 14 March 2021, Mr. Al Nukheifi joined other prisoners in a hunger strike in protest over harassment, included being denied family contact and access to books and newspapers. On 11 March 2021, he was reportedly transferred to hospital as a result of the hunger strike. On 20 May 2021, special procedures mandate holders raised the case of Mr. Al Nukheifi and other human rights defenders expressing concerns about the alleged arbitrary detention and long prison sentencing as well as abuse and torture in connection to their work (SAU 6/2021). 123. The case of Mr. Issa Hamid Al-Hamid, human rights defender and member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was included in the 2020, 2018 and 2017 reports of the Secretary-General236 related to a sentence of 11 years in prison followed by an 11-year travel ban and a fine of 100,000 Riyals following his cooperation with the UN. In November 2019, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that Mr. Al-Hamid’s detention was arbitrary (A/HRC/WGAD/2019/71, paras. 76, 83, 90, 95) noting with concern the Government’s reprisals against Mr. Al-Hamid for his reporting to UN human rights mechanisms (para. 93). The Working Group called on the authorities to ensure his immediate release and to provide him compensation and other reparations (para. 100). On 20 May 2021, special procedures mandate holders raised the case of Mr. Al-Hamid and other human rights defenders expressing concerns about their alleged arbitrary detention and long prison sentencing as well as abuse and torture in connection to their work (SAU 6/2021). 124. The case of Mr. Fawzan Mohsen Awad Al Harbi, human rights defender and member of Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was included in the 2020, 2019 and 2014 reports of the Secretary-General237 on allegations of arrest and detention for his cooperation with the UN. As of May 2020, he was serving a 10-year prison sentence at Al Malaz prison in Riyadh to be followed by a travel ban of 10 years. The case of Mr. Al Harbi’s wife, Ms. Amal Al Harbi, was included in the 2020 and 2019 report of the Secretary234 235 236 237 https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36216. A/HRC/45/36, Annex II, paras. 115-116; A/HRC/42/30, para. 74 and Annex II, para. 93; A/HRC/39/41, para. 65 and Annex I, paras. 95–96, 98. A/HRC/45/36, Annex II, para 117; A/HRC/39/41, Annex II, paras. 49–50; A/HRC/36/31, para. 49 and Annex I, paras. 68–69. A/HRC/45/36, Annex II, para. 118; A/HRC/42/30, para. 74 and Annex II, para. 94; A/HRC/27/38, para. 30. 75