Saud Al-Qahtani is a Saudi Arabian official and former advisor to the royal court. Born on April 7, 1978, in the city of Unaizah in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim Province, Al-Qahtani gained prominence due to his influential role within the Saudi government, particularly during the reign of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Al-Qahtani’s career trajectory saw him rise to prominence through his work in media and public relations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University in Riyadh, and later pursued postgraduate studies in the United States, obtaining a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
His career in the Saudi government began when he joined the Ministry of Civil Service, where he served in various capacities, including as an advisor and legal consultant. However, it was his later role as an advisor in the royal court that brought him widespread attention.
Al-Qahtani’s influence expanded significantly when he was appointed as an advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was then Deputy Crown Prince, in 2015. As part of his duties, Al-Qahtani played a key role in shaping the prince’s public image and managing his social media presence. He became known for his active engagement on platforms such as Twitter, where he had millions of followers, and was credited with helping to craft the narrative of the ambitious reform agenda spearheaded by the crown prince, known as Vision 2030.
During his time as an advisor, Al-Qahtani was involved in various high-profile initiatives and projects, including efforts to modernize the Saudi economy, attract foreign investment, and promote cultural and social reforms. He was also known for his combative style in dealing with critics of the government, often engaging in online debates and using social media to defend government policies and counter negative narratives.
However, Al-Qahtani’s tenure as an advisor was not without controversy. He faced allegations of involvement in the Saudi government’s crackdown on dissent, including the targeting of activists, journalists, and critics of the regime. In particular, he was accused of playing a role in the Saudi government’s response to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, sparking international outrage and condemnation.
In the aftermath of Khashoggi’s murder, Al-Qahtani was removed from his position as an advisor to the royal court and reportedly placed under investigation. Saudi authorities initially denied any involvement in Khashoggi’s death but later admitted that he was killed in a “rogue operation.” Several Saudi officials were implicated in the murder, leading to international condemnation and calls for accountability.
Despite his removal from his official position, Al-Qahtani remained influential within the Saudi government, reportedly continuing to advise Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on various matters. He was also said to be involved in efforts to improve the kingdom’s image abroad and attract foreign investment.
The case of Saud Al-Qahtani highlights the complex dynamics of power and influence within the Saudi government, as well as the challenges facing the kingdom as it seeks to navigate domestic and international pressures. While he was once a key figure in the inner circle of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, his fall from grace following the Khashoggi affair serves as a reminder of the risks associated with wielding unchecked authority in a tightly controlled political environment.
As of the latest available information, Al-Qahtani’s current status and level of involvement in Saudi politics remain subject to speculation and scrutiny, reflecting the opaque nature of power dynamics within the kingdom’s ruling elite. However, his tenure as an advisor to the royal court and his subsequent downfall underscore the complexities and controversies surrounding the Saudi government’s approach to governance and public relations on the global stage.
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Saud Al-Qahtani, born on April 7, 1978, in the city of Unaizah in Saudi Arabia’s Qassim Province, is a figure whose career trajectory has been marked by both influence and controversy within the Saudi government. His rise to prominence began with his academic pursuits, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University in Riyadh. Subsequently, he pursued postgraduate studies in the United States, earning a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
Al-Qahtani’s career within the Saudi government initially took shape within the Ministry of Civil Service, where he held various roles, including advisor and legal consultant. However, it was his later appointment as an advisor in the royal court that propelled him into the spotlight. In 2015, he was appointed as an advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who at the time was the Deputy Crown Prince. This appointment marked the beginning of Al-Qahtani’s significant influence within the Saudi government, particularly in the realm of media and public relations.
One of Al-Qahtani’s notable contributions during his tenure as an advisor was his active engagement in shaping the public image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and promoting his ambitious reform agenda, known as Vision 2030. Al-Qahtani utilized social media platforms, most notably Twitter, where he amassed millions of followers, to communicate the government’s policies and initiatives directly to the public. His adept use of social media helped to cultivate a favorable image of the crown prince both domestically and internationally, portraying him as a dynamic leader committed to modernizing the kingdom and implementing progressive reforms.
In addition to his role in public relations, Al-Qahtani was involved in various high-profile initiatives aimed at advancing the goals of Vision 2030, including efforts to diversify the Saudi economy, attract foreign investment, and promote cultural and social reforms. He played a key role in shaping the government’s narrative on issues ranging from women’s rights to economic development, often using social media as a platform to engage with the public and counter criticism of government policies.
However, Al-Qahtani’s tenure as an advisor was marred by allegations of involvement in the Saudi government’s crackdown on dissent and human rights abuses. He was accused of being instrumental in the targeting of activists, journalists, and critics of the regime, employing tactics such as surveillance, harassment, and intimidation to silence dissenting voices. In particular, Al-Qahtani faced scrutiny for his alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018.
The killing of Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, sparked international outrage and condemnation. Al-Qahtani was implicated in the murder by Turkish authorities and human rights organizations, who alleged that he played a direct role in planning and orchestrating the operation to silence Khashoggi. Despite vehement denials from the Saudi government, which initially claimed that Khashoggi had left the consulate alive, mounting evidence pointed to Saudi involvement in his death.
In the aftermath of the Khashoggi affair, Al-Qahtani was removed from his position as an advisor to the royal court and reportedly placed under investigation by Saudi authorities. While he was stripped of his official title, Al-Qahtani continued to wield influence within the Saudi government, reportedly advising Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on various matters. His exact role and level of involvement in government affairs following his removal from office remain subject to speculation, given the secretive nature of Saudi politics.
The case of Saud Al-Qahtani serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with unchecked power and the consequences of government repression and human rights abuses. Despite his once-prominent position within the Saudi government and his role in shaping the kingdom’s public image, his involvement in the Khashoggi affair tarnished his reputation and raised questions about the Saudi government’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
As of the latest available information, Al-Qahtani’s current status and level of involvement in Saudi politics remain uncertain, reflecting the opaque nature of power dynamics within the kingdom’s ruling elite. However, his fall from grace following the Khashoggi affair underscores the challenges facing the Saudi government as it seeks to balance its domestic agenda of reform with international scrutiny and pressure to address human rights concerns.