Abdulaziz Almuzaini, a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen and the head of an animation studio in Saudi Arabia, found himself at the peak of his career in recent years. In 2020, he secured a significant five-year deal with Netflix for his sardonic cartoon franchise, “Masameer,” often compared to a Saudi version of “South Park.” The series quickly gained international popularity and was streamed to audiences worldwide.
Despite outward appearances of success and recognition in Saudi Arabia’s evolving entertainment industry, Almuzaini faced a hidden battle behind the scenes. He was on trial in an opaque national security court, accused by Saudi prosecutors of promoting extremism through his cartoon series and social media content. The prosecution aimed to secure a severe punishment, potentially a lifetime prison sentence or a travel ban.
In a recent plea for help, Almuzaini shared a video detailing his situation and awaiting a final ruling from the kingdom’s Supreme Court. Despite his public profile and seemingly positive relationship with Saudi leadership, he stood at risk of significant consequences.
Expressing his innocence, Almuzaini stated in the video, “I haven’t committed a single crime in the kingdom. I haven’t even run a red light.” The stark contrast between his public image and legal troubles highlighted the complexities of dissent and freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia.
The case of Abdulaziz Almuzaini sheds light on the broader context of the Saudi government’s crackdown on dissent, which has led to the imprisonment of hundreds of citizens since 2017. Almuzaini’s experience serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals navigating the shifting landscape of creative expression and political boundaries in the kingdom.
