A U.S. citizen who spent years trapped in Saudi Arabia under an exit ban has been released, according to statements from his family and multiple media reports.
Saad Almadi, 75, had been detained since 2021 after Saudi authorities arrested him during a family visit to Riyadh and later sentenced him to more than 19 years in prison over online posts criticizing the royal family, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday allowed US citizen Saad Almadi to return to his Florida home four years after being incarcerated for tweeting criticisms of the Saudi government. The announcement came moments after President Trump gave a speech touting US-Saudi ties.… pic.twitter.com/9CfLkhWzKN [2]
— Robbie Mouton (@mcgmouton57) November 19, 2025 [3]
Almadi’s release on Wednesday came one day after President Donald Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, D.C., the New York Post reported.
Although Almadi was freed from prison in 2023 after his charges were reduced from terrorism allegations to cyber crimes, he remained barred from leaving the country until this week.
Almadi, a retired engineer who has lived in the United States since 1976, had faced accusations tied to 14 social media posts. One of the posts suggested renaming a Washington street after Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
His case drew attention from human rights groups and members of Congress, who urged Saudi authorities to lift the exit ban and allow him to return home.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Almadi family expressed relief and gratitude. “Our family is overjoyed that, after four long years, our father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way home to the United States!” they said.
My father, Saad Almadi, is finally on his way to the United States.
This would not have been possible without the dedication of the Trump administration, @SebGorka [4], the incredible teams at @JamesFoleyFund [5] & @HostagesAmerica [6], @MideastDC [7], and the courageous voices of @joshrogin [8] &… https://t.co/rgQUrzG74z [9] pic.twitter.com/mn8spZG1r6 [10]
— Almadi Ibrahim Saad (@IbrahimSAlmadi) November 19, 2025 [11]
“This day would not have been possible without President Donald Trump and the tireless efforts of his administration. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Sebastian Gorka and the team at the National Security Council, as well as everyone at the State Department.”
The family also thanked others who had advocated for Almadi’s release. “We extend our thanks to the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh for keeping our father safe, and to the nonprofit organizations and members of Congress who fought for his freedom,” the statement continued.
U.S. pressure to end the exit ban had increased following Trump’s May visit to Saudi Arabia. Sebastian Gorka, a member of the National Security Council, also met with Almadi’s son at the White House as the case gained new momentum.
The Foley Foundation, which supports families of Americans detained overseas, praised the development, saying it was “so excited” that Almadi’s four-year ordeal was ending.
AMERICAN HELD IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR YEARS FREED, ON WAY BACK TO U.S. pic.twitter.com/GMxRyEBRhZ [12]
— Almadi Ibrahim Saad (@IbrahimSAlmadi) November 20, 2025 [13]
According to the family, Almadi was flying from Riyadh to the United States on Wednesday. The timing followed Trump and the crown prince appearing together at a forum in Washington earlier in the week.
Fox News Digital reported that it had reached out to Gorka, the State Department and the White House for comment.