The University of Leeds says it is “deeply concerned” that one of its students has been sentenced to 34 years in prison in Saudi Arabia for following activists and dissidents on Twitter.

Human rights activist Salma al-Shehab was handed the sentence in a ruling that has been decried by campaigners who say it was the “longest issued against female or male activists”.

She had initially been sentenced to three years in prison for using the internet to “cause public unrest and destabilise civil and national security” – but was given the new sentence on Monday after an appeals court was asked to consider other alleged crimes.

A spokesperson for University of Leeds said: “We are deeply concerned to learn of this recent development in Salma’s case and we are seeking advice on whether there is anything we can do to support her.

“Our thoughts remain with Salma, her family, and her friends among our close-knit community of postgraduate researchers.”

The 34-year-old is a postgraduate researcher in the final year of her PhD studies in the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds.

The married mother of two children, who was also given a 34-year travel ban, was arrested in January 2021 while on holiday in Saudi Arabia.

Leeds student sentenced to 34 years in prison in Saudi Arabia for using Twitter

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European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) said: “Although not all levels of litigation have been enforced, this ruling sets a dangerous precedent for women activists and human rights defenders.

“The Public Prosecution accused her of several charges, including undermining the security of society and the stability of the state, spreading sedition, providing aid to those who seek to disrupt public order, and spreading false and malicious rumours on Twitter.”

The organisation said the sentence “reveals that the recent steps taken by the Saudi government in the file of women’s rights are not serious and fall within the whitewashing campaigns it is carrying out to improve its poor human rights record”.

Twitter has so far not commented on the case – while it is believed Salma may seek an appeal over the ruling, reported The Guardian.

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