The European Union
“regrets”
the conviction in Saudi Arabia of human rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul and hopes that she will be released
“quickly”
, a spokesperson for European diplomat Josep Borrel said on Tuesday.
Read also: Saudi activist Loujain Al-Hathloul sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison
The 31-year-old activist was sentenced Monday to five years and eight months in prison under an
"anti-terrorism"
law
,
a suspended sentence that makes her released in a few months, according to her family.
She has already spent more than two years in pre-trial detention.
"The EU regrets"
the conviction of Loujain al-Hathloul,
"prosecuted for defending the basic rights of women, which are part of the reforms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced,"
the spokesperson said in this press release.
Loujain al-Hathloul was arrested, along with other activists, shortly before the lifting of the ban on driving for Saudi women, a reform for which these women were campaigning.
“The EU understands that the judgment (...) opens up the possibility of early release.
The EU hopes this will happen quickly, ”he
adds.
France and Germany had called on Monday the Saudi authorities to quickly release the young woman.
