Yahya Assiri

Yahya Assiri, (Arabic: يحيى عسيري‎‎), is a Saudi Arabian human rights activist and former member of the Saudi Air Force.

Early life and career

Yahya was born in 1980 in Asir Province, a region in south-west Saudi Arabia. He joined the Saudi Air Force when he was 18. He eventually became responsible for weapons purchases.

Political activism

Assiri started becoming involved in online political forums in 2004. He became involved in protests during a training period in London beginning in 2009. At the end of this period, he returned to Saudi Arabia but had difficulty finding work.

Political asylum

In 2013, Assiri returned to London to study human rights at Kingston University. In 2014, he applied for political asylum. Assiri founded Al Qst, a human rights organisation, in April 2014. He is currently working as a volunteer in the Middle East and North Africa division of Amnesty International. Yahya has assisted several other human rights organisations and participates in a number of courses and seminars relating to human rights. He is currently studying for a Masters in Human Rights and Political Communications at Kingston University, London and has a Bachelor's degree in Administration. However, as of October 2015, his request for political asylum has not been decided and he is concerned he may be forced to return home.