Ashraf Fayadh

Ashraf Fayadh, born in 1980 in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian refugees, is an artist and poet who gained international attention after facing severe legal repercussions for his work. His poetry collection "Instructions Within" led to charges of apostasy and an initial death sentence in 2015, later commuted to eight years in prison with 800 lashes. Fayadh's case highlighted issues of artistic freedom and human rights in Saudi Arabia. His work often explores themes of exile, identity, and critique of religious extremism. After serving his sentence, Fayadh was released on August 23, 2022, having spent over eight years in prison[2][6].