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His sentencing is expected to provoke tensions between Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and the next president of the United States, Joe Biden.
Hathlul was sentenced on Monday under Saudi Arabia’s broader counter-terrorism law, Reuters reported, citing Saudi newspapers Sabak and al-Sharq al-Awsat.
The 31-year-old was accused of trying to change the Saudi political system and undermine national security.
After being found guilty at trial, the court sentenced him to a total of 5 years and 6 months in prison.
Hathlul, who was crying when the verdict was announced, said she would appeal.
Hathlul was arrested in May 2016 along with many other women’s rights activists. On Monday, the court ordered that the two years and 10 months of detention be commuted from his sentence.
Two Saudi media outlets reported that he could be released in March next year, subject to conditions.
Hathlul has also been banned from traveling for five years, her sister said.
“My sister is not a terrorist, she is a rights activist. By punishing him for his actions, the reforms that Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi monarchy talk about with pride show that they are nothing but hypocrisy,” Lena said in a statement.
A State Department spokesman said they were “concerned” by the news of Hathlul’s sentencing.
Jake Sullivan, who will take over as Biden’s national security adviser, wrote on Twitter that the Biden administration would prioritize various human rights issues in its dealings with Riyadh.
“It is unfair and painful to punish Hathlul only for his universal rights. As I have said, wherever human rights are violated, the Biden-Harris administration will oppose them,” he said.
UN human rights experts called the accusations against Hathlul “fraudulent”.
On Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called for Hathloul’s release “immediately”.
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