Saudi Arabia: Egyptian-Turkish man at risk of deportation pleas for Turkish help

An Egyptian-Turkish dual citizen, imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and threatened with deportation to Egypt, is pleading with Turkish authorities to intervene in his case.

Tariq Shafei, 52, was arrested in Dammam on 20 December 2022, and has remained in custody without charges, his family told Middle East Eye.

In a recording released on 9 August 2023 via Twitter, Shafei has asked Turkish officials to help him. 

“I have not committed any crime of any kind, and my case is related to the known political conflicts and dimensions in Egypt,” Shafei said.  

“I appeal to the Turkish side to communicate with the Saudi side to find out the reasons for the measures taken against me on a legal basis as a Turkish citizen.” 

Shafei has lived in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, for nearly 12 years, working as a management consultant after moving from Egypt.

Last month, his family said they left for Turkey after Saudi authorities told them they faced deportation, but said that Shafei, despite holding Turkish citizenship, could only be sent to Egypt.

They told MEE they believe he was arrested due to accusations alleged by Egypt that he is a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood. There are no official charges against him, and there are no cases pending against him.

The Brotherhood, Egypt's largest opposition group, was outlawed and labelled a "terrorist" group in the aftermath of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's coup in 2013 against his democratically-elected predecessor Mohamed Morsi, who hailed from the Muslim Brotherhood. Those suspected of membership or support for the group have been subjected to arbitrary detention, mass trials, death sentences, and mass killings during protests. Rights groups have denounced the "terrorism" label and the crackdown as politically motivated.

During his time in prison, Shafei's family say he was held in solitary confinement for 42 days and that his health has deteriorated. They are concerned he would face ill-treatment if sent to Egypt.

“He will be at risk of enforced disappearance, torture, or execution,” a relative told MEE.

The family asked the Turkish embassy in Saudi Arabia for help when Shafei was first arrested and they were advised to contact the Egyptian embassy in Saudi Arabia.

They have since filed a complaint with Turkey’s foreign ministry, after which the Turkish embassy in Saudi Arabia began to follow up on Shafei’s case.

Turkey's foreign ministry and embassy in Saudi Arabia did not respond immediately on Friday to requests for comment, nor did Egyptian or Saudi Arabian authorities.