Dubai – After almost two decades in detention in the United States, Saudi national Homaidan Al Turki is preparing to return to the Kingdom, with deportation proceedings now in their final stages.
The 56-year-old was released from prison last month and has since been held by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while repatriation logistics are finalized. According to sources close to the matter, his departure for Saudi Arabia is expected within days.
Al Turki’s family was formally informed on Sunday that the deportation process is nearing completion. In a public statement, they expressed deep appreciation for his upcoming return, extending heartfelt gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for their unwavering support throughout the prolonged legal ordeal.
Acknowledgment was also given to the Saudi Embassy in Washington, led by Ambassador Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, for its consistent diplomatic engagement and tireless advocacy. The family noted that official backing, along with sustained public support, was instrumental in achieving this long-awaited outcome.
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Homaidan Al Turki was originally convicted in 2006 on charges of unlawful imprisonment and assault involving his Indonesian domestic worker in Colorado. The case drew considerable international attention, with critics pointing to perceived judicial bias and allegations of Islamophobia in the post-9/11 atmosphere.
Over the years, Al Turki launched multiple appeals against his conviction, with his legal team arguing that he had received inadequate legal representation during his initial trial. These efforts culminated recently in a plea agreement under which he admitted guilt to 11 modified charges. The Colorado court ruled that the time he had already served – over 19 years – satisfied the revised sentence, and the case was officially closed.
The ruling follows a court decision last month that approved his deportation, marking the end of a legal battle that began with his initial arrest in 2004 on immigration-related charges, and escalated to a lengthy prison term in 2006.
Al Turki, a former PhD candidate and linguist at the University of Denver, has continuously maintained his innocence, claiming he was unfairly targeted due to rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the US. His case has been a focal point for Muslim advocacy organizations and human rights observers who argued that his treatment reflected broader patterns of discrimination.
With his return now imminent, his family and supporters are hopeful that this chapter of hardship and legal turmoil will finally come to a close.
