DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A Saudi cartoonist who previously contributed to a Qatari publication amid a prolonged diplomatic crisis has been handed a staggering 23-year prison sentence, as reported by an activist organization.

The harsh sentencing of Mohammed al-Ghamdi reflects a growing trend of judicial repression aimed at stifling any form of dissent in Saudi Arabia, which has escalated under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is increasingly perceived as the de facto leader in place of his 88-year-old father, King Salman.

No comment has been provided by Saudi officials regarding the matter.

Operating under the pseudonym Al-Hazza, al-Ghamdi created cartoons that humorously addressed challenges associated with the Islamic month of Ramadan, while occasionally venturing into political commentary on Middle Eastern issues. However, political cartoons, similar to other media content in Gulf states, must navigate carefully around the region’s autocratic leaders, even during less tumultuous times.

Al-Ghamdi’s association with the Qatari publication Lusail coincided with the onset of a diplomatic blockade against Qatar initiated by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain in 2017. His work as a cartoonist led to an initial six-year prison sentence from Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court, based on allegations that he had insulted the kingdom—claims he has consistently denied.

Recently, the case was reopened resulting in al-Ghamdi receiving an irrevocable 23-year sentence, according to SANAD, a UK-based human rights organization that focuses on issues in Saudi Arabia.

“This situation emphasizes the urgent need for global efforts to safeguard artistic freedom and human rights within Saudi Arabia,” SANAD stated. “Al-Ghamdi’s situation highlights the alarming reality in the kingdom, where no one enjoys true safety; he became a target merely for exercising his artistic expression.”

While Crown Prince Mohammed has initiated certain liberal reforms within the ultraconservative nation and embarked on ambitious construction projects to enhance his international stature, he has simultaneously consolidated his authority by imprisoning members of the elite and dissenters. Others, including doctoral student Salma al-Shehab, face lengthy prison terms due to their online remarks.