A plane with a message saying 'Free All Saudi prisoners' flew over St. James’ Park before Newcastle ’s Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday.
The message was shown seconds ahead of the game getting underway at 4.30pm and was a message for the Newcastle ownership. The club are owned by the Public Investment Fund, which is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia.
The plane was organised by the SANAD Organisation, who state on the description of their social media profile: “We aim to alleviate the suffering of the arbitrarily detained individuals and all those denied their civil and political rights in Saudi Arabia.”
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund completed their takeover of Newcastle in October 2021 from the previous owner Mike Ashley. The change in ownership has heralded a change of fortunes on the pitch for the North-East club, as they have gone from battling relegation to a top three spot in the league.
The takeover was given the green light after the Premier League stated it had received "legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle United Football Club."
However, the claim continues to be challenged and multiple human rights organisations have criticised the Premier League for allowing PIF to purchase a Premier League club. Amnesty International called the takeover "an extremely bitter blow for human rights defenders."
Sanad – who organised the plane on Sunday – describe themselves on their website: “Due to the deterioration of the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and the absence of impartial and effective human rights institutions at home, and the fierce silencing of all voices demanding rights and public freedoms, we, as founding members, board of trustees and honorary members, announce the launch and registration of the Sanad Human Rights Organisation to defend political and civil rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to monitor all human rights violations practiced by the regime of Mohammed bin Salman and disclose them to the public, international media, and Western institutions.
“In Sanad, we seek to let the world know about detainees behind bars in Saudi Arabia and the violations committed against them for their human rights activism, expressing their opinions, or demanding their legitimate right to freedom of speech; and to convey their voices and sufferings to free societies that respect opinion, freedom of expression, and human rights.”