This archive report was first published on 20 November 2019.
On November 20, 2019, two gay Saudi journalists found themselves in a precarious situation after being detained at an Australian immigration centre.
The couple, who had arrived in Australia on tourist visas in mid-October, were taken into custody after admitting their plans to seek asylum, according to their lawyer, Alison Battisson.
"Australia being very well known for being... a safe place for LGBTI people, they were incredibly surprised and distressed," Battisson said.
The men, who worked for Saudi Arabia's media ministry and had assisted international news organisations, claimed they faced pressure from authorities after a dissident leaked sensitive documents to foreign media.
One of the men revealed that he was called into a prison in Riyadh by state security, who hinted that he should stop working with foreign media due to his relationship with his partner.
Battisson stated that the men had not leaked any documents, but were caught up in a wider crackdown by Saudi authorities following the murder of Khashoggi.
Homosexuality is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, and the couple had received threats, including a phone call from a relative warning them to end their relationship or face consequences.
The men have been separated in detention, with one receiving medical treatment and the other housed with convicted criminals awaiting deportation.
The poor conditions and uncertainty surrounding their case have taken a significant toll on their mental health, according to Battisson.
