The sentence was handed down in January, in secret, and the decision was only known after a group of United Nations rapporteurs requested information about the case, Europa Press reported. According to Amnesty International (AI), the charges against the activist stem from wearing "indecent clothing" by local authority standards and demanding reforms on social media, including the end of the regime that requires all women to have a male guardian. AI spokeswoman Bissan Fakih described the conviction against al-Otaibi as "a terrible and cruel injustice", considering it an example of the authorities' efforts to restrict any claim in favor of women's rights "and silence peaceful dissent". The non-governmental organization (NGO) denounced procedural violations and physical and psychological abuse against al-Otaibi, who was arrested in 2022. The activist was missing for five months -- since November 2023 -- without any contact with her family. Her sister, Fawzia al-Otaibi, also faces similar charges, but fled the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for fear of being arrested after being notified to appear for questioning in 2022. Manahel, a 'fitness' influencer, posted workout videos on Instagram, X (ex-Twitter) and Snapchat and faced charges of "defaming the kingdom at home and abroad, calling for rebellion against public order and social customs and traditions and challenging the justice system", according to court documents consulted by the Associated Press. The activist and influencer's posts included advocating for more liberal dress codes for women, LGBTQ+ community rights, and the abolition of male guardian laws. She was also accused of appearing in "indecent clothing" and posting 'hashtags' (keywords) that include the phrase "overthrow the government". In a letter sent in January by Saudi Arabia to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which did not show any evidence against the activist, the government stressed that "physical exercise and advocacy are not crimes under Saudi law, however, justifying the actions of terrorists by describing them as exercise or advocating for rights is unacceptable and constitutes an attempt to legitimize terrorist crimes". Since 2018, women have been able to drive in the Saudi kingdom and other restrictions have been lifted in the kingdom that is rapidly trying to diversify its oil-based economy, which is happening as part of the consolidation of power by Prince Mohammed, who has arrested members of the Saudi elite, although his father maintains formal control of the kingdom. Several activists have been detained for denouncing Saudi laws or for following dissidents who do so on social media, including Salma al-Shebab, a former PhD student at the University of Leeds, who is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence. Read Also: Clean energy? Arabia and UAE against "lack of incentives" for transition (Portuguese version)