Joyful welcome for Homaidan bin Ali Al-Turki as he returns to Saudi Arabia after nearly two decades in a US prison, August 7, 2025. Photo: X
Riyadh: Saudi citizen Homaidan bin Ali Al-Turki returned to the Kingdom on Thursday, August 7, after nearly two decades of imprisonment in the United States.
A widely circulated video captured the emotional moment Al-Turki arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Upon stepping onto Saudi soil, he was seen prostrating in gratitude, overwhelmed by his long-awaited return.
Another clip documented Al-Turki’s heartfelt reunion with his family just outside the airport lounge. The footage showed scenes of tearful embraces and visible joy as loved ones welcomed him back after a legal ordeal that spanned 19 years.
Al-Turki departed the US on Wednesday evening, August 6, following his release from an immigration detention centre.
His son, Turki Homaidan Al-Turki, announced the news on X, expressing gratitude to the Saudi leadership and the Kingdom’s embassy in Washington for facilitating his father’s return.
“My father, Hamidan Al Turki, is heading home. We thank God first, then we thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, and we appreciate the efforts of the Kingdom’s embassy, which played a major role in his return,” Turki wrote.
Video clips shared online showed Al Turki at the airport and onboard the flight returning to Saudi Arabia.
Al Turki was arrested in 2006 in the US state of Colorado on charges of mistreating his Indonesian maid, including allegations of harassment and non-payment of wages. He denied all accusations, calling them fabricated and politically motivated.
“I refused to betray my country, so they fabricated these charges. I chose to bear them,” Al Turki said in a previous video shared by his son.
Although he appealed the convictions multiple times, the US judiciary upheld the original verdicts. He was granted parole in May 2025 and was subsequently transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, where he remained until arrangements for his deportation were finalised.
Editor’s note: The headline and article has been updated.
This post was last modified on August 7, 2025 10:30 pm