According to Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), the former Imam was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in Riyadh, after overturning his earlier conviction.
Several human rights organizations have reported that Sheikh Saleh was detained by the Saudi authorities in 2018 after he had given a sermon condemning the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). GEA is a Saudi body that oversees the entertainment industry.
Talib’s sermons and Quranic recitations are watched and listened to by a large international audience on YouTube. He disagreed with the expanding celebrations and concerts in the Kingdom since they go against its religious and cultural traditions.
His arrest coincided with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s (MBS) efforts to change Saudi society and diversify the country’s heavily reliant economy on oil.
The Saudi authorities have jailed a number of eminent clerics and imams who oppose MBS’ reform ideas since since he seized de facto control as the Crown Prince, according to the rights organizations.