Hamdan Al-Turki Returns to Saudi Arabia After 19 Years in US Prison
Saudi citizen Hamdan Al-Turki has returned to Saudi Arabia after years in the United States in a case that drew wide attention locally and internationally.
His return came after long legal and diplomatic efforts, along with repeated calls to review the conditions of his detention and similar violations. Most Viewed: New guidelines for group housing across the kingdom
Three months after his release, Al-Turki departed the US for the Kingdom. His release came after 19 years in prison on charges of assaulting his Indonesian maid, who worked in his home at the time.
A court in Colorado decided on May 9, 2025 (Saudi time), to close his case and overturn the previous ruling. The decision was made in the presence of a lawyer from the Saudi Embassy in Washington.
Al-Turki started the case in 2006 when he faced accusations of assault and illegal detention against his domestic worker.
The case gained more attention because of claims of bias against Muslims after the September 11, 2001 events, with Al-Turki insisting he was innocent and a victim of anti-Muslim hostility.
In August 2006, a Colorado court sentenced him to 28 years in prison, and he was held in Limon Prison when he was 37 years old.
After about 19 years, he was released in May 2025 and returned to Saudi Arabia at the age of 56. See Also: Late arrivals would not extend hotel check-out time—Ministry of Tourism
His case received strong media and public attention, which grew with each legal step taken by his family and lawyers to seek his release or a review of the ruling.
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| Hamdan Al-Turki Returns to Saudi Arabia After 19 Years in US Prison |