A 34-YEAR prison sentence handed by a Saudi Arabian court to a Leeds University student for her activity on Twitter was denounced as “outrageous” by Amnesty International today.

Saudi Arabia’s infamous Specialised Criminal Court handed the sentence to Leeds University PhD student Shama al-Shehab at an appeal hearing on August 9.

She was targeted by authorities for having used Twitter to follow, write about and support Saudi Arabian women’s rights activists.

The court has sentenced Ms Shehab to 34 years in prison at the discretion of the judge for “supporting those who seek to disrupt public order, destabilise security and the stability of the state” and publishing tweets which “disturb public order, destabilise the security of society and the stability of the state.”

Amnesty International labelled the sentence as “outrageous” and is demanding her release. 

The prosecution in the case cited articles from the country’s counter-terrorism law.

Amnesty International’s acting Middle East and north Africa deputy director, Diana Semaan, said: “It is outrageous that Salma al-Shehab — a PhD student and mother of two from Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a minority — has been handed down such a cruel and unlawful punishment simply for using Twitter.

“The authorities intend to use her to set an example amid their unrelenting crackdown on free speech.

“She must be immediately and unconditionally released. The Saudi authorities must allow her to reunite with her family and continue her studies in the UK.

“Saudi Arabia must end its relentless crackdown on women’s rights activists and any others who dare to speak their mind freely.

“Women like Salma must be recognised and protected, not targeted for expressing their opinions.”