Screenshot from a France24 YouTube video showing Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul. Prominent Saudi human rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul, whose detention since 2018 had stoked global criticism, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison on December 28 by the kingdom’s notorious terrorism court in an alarming development to her years-long fight for freedom. According to her sister, Lina, Loujain should be released by March 2021, having already served the majority of her sentence as pre-trial detention, as she shares in a tweet: BREAKING : Today @LoujainHathloul was sentenced to -5 years and 8 months in prison – A suspension of 2 years and 10 months in addition to the time already served (since May 2018) which would see her release in approximately two months. -5 years travel ban Note: ?? — Lina Alhathloul لينا الهذلول (@LinaAlhathloul) December 28, 2020 Lina also mentioned in another tweet that her sister Loujain “cried when she heard the sentence today”, and that she “will appeal the sentence and ask for another investigation regarding torture”. According to local press citing the court's ruling, 31-year-old Loujain was found guilty of “committing acts criminalized under Article 43 of the Law on Combating Terrorism Crimes“, including engaging with foreign, hostile entities, and using the internet to serve and support an external agenda inside the kingdom, with the aim of harming public order. Loujain's sentence comes after a rushed trial deemed flawed by international human rights groups. Although the sentence is down from the maximum jail term of up to 20 years which the public prosecutor demanded on December 17, it is expected to draw added condemnation of the kingdom which is already grappling with a grim record of human rights violations, both within its territories and beyond. Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, tweeted: I’m receiving disturbing reports that #Saudi WHRD Loujain Al Hathloul has been convicted & given a prison sentence by an anti-terrorism court. She should be immediately released. Defending human rights is not terrorism @patrickwintour @jongambrellAP @NiAolainF @sebusher pic.twitter.com/uH2xTRvFMM — Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (@MaryLawlorhrds) December 28, 2020 Human Rights Watch's Executive Director Kenneth Roth reacted by saying: The Saudi government denies Loujain al-Hathoul was prosecuted for campaigning for women’s right to drive “but instead for mounting a campaign to undermine the royal family.” That's because the Saudi crown prince views any political activism as a threat. https://t.co/RlJV1m2ugo pic.twitter.com/UY1K5dWhmb — Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) December 28, 2020 Loujain has been at the forefront of campaigns demanding women’s right to drive and is a leading figure in the calls to put an end to the male guardianship system which treats Saudi women as second-class citizens. Observers have opined that the shorter sentence is a reflection of the anticipated changes in leadership in Washington DC. Donald Trump's administration remains a staunch supporter of Saudi's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, who is commonly known by his initials – MBS, and has turned a blind eye to the harrowing human rights record that quickly became associated with the prince. Our Washpost edtorial says the conviction of Loujain al Hathloul is a travesty–and also a sign that international pressure on MBS can work. @LinaAlhathloul https://t.co/8UUGOZLs4U — Jackson Diehl (@JacksonDiehl) December 28, 2020 US president-elect Joe Biden has stated his administration will be taking a less lenient position towards Riyadh's human rights abuses, a stand which was reiterated following Loujain's sentence by his National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan: Saudi Arabia’s sentencing of Loujain al-Hathloul for simply exercising her universal rights is unjust and troubling. As we have said, the Biden-Harris administration will stand up against human rights violations wherever they occur. — Jake Sullivan (@jakejsullivan) December 28, 2020 In May 2018, Loujain was kidnapped in the United Arab Emirates and, along with other female activists, was detained for months before the coming into effect of a breakthrough royal decree, which they had long campaigned for, that allowed women to drive. After her extradition to the Saudi kingdom, Hathloul remained in pre-trial detention, with alleged periods of solitary confinement, a suspension of family visits, and torture. She had resorted to staging a hunger strike in order to see her family. It was only on 24 November that her family was told that her long-delayed trial was to begin the following day, giving her parents, who are her legal representatives, only one day to prepare.