A British woman has spoken out about the harrowing experiences her family endured after her husband, businessman Rami Naimi, was allegedly abducted, tortured, and imprisoned by Saudi Arabian authorities. The family claims Mr. Naimi, son of former Saudi oil minister Ali Al-Naimi, faced severe mistreatment, including electrocution and waterboarding, during his detentions.
Allegations of Abduction and Torture
The ordeal began in 2017 when Mr. Naimi was reportedly abducted in Dubai while returning from a work trip to Australia with his father. According to his family, he was blindfolded, forcibly transported to Abu Dhabi, and then flown to Saudi Arabia. He was allegedly held at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh for three months, during which time he experienced what his family describes as horrific torture, including electrocution, waterboarding, and psychological abuse. His wife, Mira Lozi, stated that for months, the family had no idea if Mr. Naimi was alive or dead.
In 2022, Mr. Naimi was detained again and subsequently sentenced to six years in prison following a trial his family describes as secret. The initial detention in 2017 occurred during a period of widespread detentions of Saudi political, royal, and business figures, which authorities presented as an anti-corruption campaign.
Fear and Psychological Impact
Mrs. Lozi recounted the intense fear she experienced following her husband’s first detention in 2017. Living in Dubai at the time, she described a constant state of anxiety, feeling terrified and constantly looking over her shoulder, fearing she might also be taken. This pervasive fear meant that even after Mr. Naimi was released after three months and placed under house arrest, the family felt too unsafe to visit him. They were required to sign a settlement agreement, reportedly agreeing to surrender approximately £200 million, as a condition for his release from the initial detention.
Mr. Naimi’s son, Ali, who was 12 years old when his father was first detained, shared the profound emotional toll the experience had on him. He described his childhood as traumatized, living a life largely without his father. He explained that the situation forced him to grow up quickly, grappling with details no child should have to face. Even after his father’s release, the family’s fear persisted, making visits feel precarious.
A Father’s Trauma and a Son’s Struggle
Although the family was eventually able to visit Mr. Naimi, their contact was limited due to electronic surveillance and travel bans. Ali Naimi noted that his father was deeply traumatized by his experiences, becoming a different person. While his father sometimes shared details out of anger, Ali found it difficult to process the extent of his father’s suffering as a young teenager.
Second Detention and Renewed Fears
The family’s nightmare resurfaced in 2022 when Mr. Naimi disappeared for nearly two years. Mrs. Lozi explained that he was called to have his ankle bracelet fixed and then vanished. During this second period of detention, he allegedly faced further torture and abuse. His family endured agonizing uncertainty, again not knowing if he was alive or dead.
Ali, now 17 at the time of this second disappearance, found the experience even more harrowing than the first. He understood the potential for severe mistreatment and the difficulty his father would face, making the waiting period significantly more agonizing. In 2024, the family learned he was being held in Saudi Arabia’s Al Ha’ir prison.
Life Under House Arrest and New Charges
Mr. Naimi was released in March 2025 but has remained under house arrest. The family continues to feel his absence keenly. Ali highlighted the missed milestones and support his father’s absence created, including his own graduation and his sister’s university graduation. He spoke of the deprivation of paternal guidance during crucial life decisions and noted that his eldest sister missed having her father present at her wedding.
Following his release, Mr. Naimi learned of charges against him, alleging he had “exploited” his father’s official influence. He also faced accusations of acting as an agent for a U.S. company within Saudi Arabia. These charges led to his six-year prison sentence after the secret trial. He is now reportedly facing a second trial concerning his social media activity while detained in 2017, with potential penalties of up to 20 years if convicted of following accounts critical of Saudi Arabia.
Decision to Go Public
The Naimi family denies all allegations, asserting the claims are unfair. They state that Mr. Naimi is unaware of their decision to publicly share his story. Mrs. Lozi explained that for years, she refrained from speaking out due to fears it would jeopardize her husband’s release. However, she felt compelled to act, citing the perceived injustices in the legal proceedings and a lack of attention to his case.
Mrs. Lozi also revealed that her ongoing battle with cancer influenced her decision to speak out, stating that her desire for her children to have their father back was a significant motivator. The family has launched a campaign to bring Mr. Naimi home and raise awareness about his situation.
