Al-Ajami was held in solitary confinement in Doha’s Central Prison with extremely limited visitation rights in violation of UN principles. On 23 October 2013, representatives from PEN American Center were prevented from visiting him despite having been told their visit had been approved. For more details read ‘Qatar: A poet sits in a desert cell for reciting his work at home’ by Joanne Leedom Ackerman.
Case History
In March 2016, al-Ajami received a royal pardon and was released from prison after more than four years.
View an interactive infographic about Mohammed al-Ajami’s case.