BEIRUT, Lebanon – A Saudi princess who publicly questioned government policy and criticized her country’s government for imprisoning her nearly three years ago has been released, her family’s legal adviser said on Sunday.

The princess, Basma Bint South, returned home with her daughter Suhoud al-Sharif on Thursday, where she was imprisoned with him, legal adviser Henry Estramant said.

But it is not clear whether women will be allowed to go abroad, as Princess Basma has no medical facility for heart disease in Saudi Arabia, which is a pressing issue, Mr. Estramant said.

Princess Basma was imprisoned or placed under house arrest by one of several prominent Saudi activists, dissidents and members of the royal family. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promoted, Whose father King Salman first established his hold on the kingdom. Ascended the throne in 2015.

Prince Mohammed is one of the most divisive rulers in Saudi history. He has received praise at home and abroad for his efforts to ease social restrictions Distinguish economy from oil. But one to stop his rise Disastrous military intervention in Yemen And including disregard for human rights Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoki was killed In 2018 by Saudi agents inside the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul.

The detention of individuals such as Princess Basma has provoked these criticisms.

Those arrested include Women who fought for the right to drive, Which was granted in 2018, and members of the royal family, often referred to by Prince Mohammed in his initials MBS, may have considered obstacles in his path to the throne.

Some detainees have been released, but many continue to be barred from traveling abroad because the government fears they could discuss their cases with foreign journalists or representatives of other governments.

Many important people, including two sons Former King Abdullah, According to their allies, remain in custody, and information about the mistreatment of some prisoners continues to come to light.

Very important Mohammed bin Naib, Former Home Minister Prince Mohammed was deposed as Crown Prince In order to claim the title for himself in 2017.

After removing him, Mohammed bin Naib was placed under house arrest Until March 2020, he was arrested and detained.

At the beginning of his detention, Mohammed bin Nayef was imprisoned in solitary confinement, without sleep, with his ankles resting upside down, and the two men, who briefly described his condition, spoke anonymously due to their sensitivity to the problem. .

Last fall, he was transferred to a villa inside the compound surrounding the King’s Al-Yamamah Palace in the capital, Riyadh, where people reported him.

People said that Mohammed bin Nayef was kept alone without any television or other electronic devices and received only limited visits from his family. He appears to have suffered prolonged damage to his ankles as he was treated in detention and could not walk without cane.

The government did not register any formal charges against him or explain why he was detained. Most Saudi experts believe that this is because of the fear that Prince Mohammed will be an obstacle to Prince Mohammed’s attempt to become the next Saudi monarch.

A spokeswoman for the Saudi embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment on Princess Basma or Mohammed bin Nayef.

Princess Basma, 58, who was released last week with her daughter Ms al-Sharif, has never held a government office or held any power. Princess Basma, the youngest daughter of the second king of Saudi Arabia, spent most of her time in London, and was very popular for providing occasional comments to the media about Saudi Arabia, which was rare for the royal family, especially women.

He criticized the legal system of the state based on Sharia law and called on the country to adopt a constitution that protects the rights of citizens, for which he faced no consequences.

But still BBC speaks to Arabic In 2018, Princess Basma was accused of refusing to accept those who did not support her, without mentioning the name of Prince Mohammed. His transformation plans known as Vision 2030.

“He has a vision, Vision 2030, and in that vision, I see that there is a direction to isolate all those who disagree with that vision,” he said.

In March 2019, police arrested Princess Basma and 30-year-old Ms Al-Sharif. From their home in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The two women were charged with unspecified “criminal offenses” and imprisoned in Al Heer, near Riyadh, but were not formally charged with any of the crimes. Estramant said.

Saudi officials have not publicly commented on Princess Basma’s case, but in 2020, the Saudi embassy in Geneva told the United Nations that she had been “charged with criminal offenses related to attempting to travel outside the country illegally.” It said Princess Basma did not attend the trial.

Mr. Estramant said it was not clear why the women were released, but he praised the move.

“We are pleased that the State Court and the MBS have agreed to release both of them,” he said. “This is a good sign that the country is continuing the process of improving the rule of law.”