Introduction

Saudi Arabia has long struggled with terrorism and the rise of extremism since the first Gulf War in 1991, events which had a massive bearing on the political dynamics relating to radicalization, both on a domestic and international scale, as well as the related terrorist activities, which became the order of the day in Saudi Arabia and globally. International pressures on Saudi Arabia cracking down on terrorism experienced a surge after the 9/11 attack when it was discovered that fifteen out of nineteen hijackers of the planes were Saudi nationals; this created a complex diplomatic situation.

However, the turning point was in the aftermath on the 2003 Ryad compound bombing which led to a crackdown against militants by the Saudi government who until this point had denied there was a terrorist threat within the Kingdom1. In the same period the Kingdom decided to start implementing a softer approach to counter terrorism parallel to a repressive one; the Mohammad Bin Nayef Center for Advice, Counseling and Care was born as a product of this effort2.

AlMaawi, Mohammad (2016) Counter-Terrorism in Saudi Arabia: Narratives, Practices and Challenges. Doctor of 1 Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent, Criminology.

Porges, Marisa. “Saudi Arabia's 'Soft' Approach to Terrorist Prisoners: A Model for Others?.” In Prisons, Terrorism and 2 Extremism: Critical Issues in Management, Radicalisation and Reform. 2014.

The Mohammad Bin Nayef Center for Advice, Counseling and Care The Mohammad Bin Nayef Center for Advice, Counseling and Care was established in 2004 as a counseling committee and developed into a full-fledged operational centre in 2006 describing itself as a "correctional institution, concerned with the rehabilitation and reintegration of extremists according to the specialized methodology based on the constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". It can be thus interpreted as a compulsory "experiment of rehabilitation and integration" acting as a link between the sentence in prison and the process of re-integration into society. In terms of organizational structure, the centre has five branches trough out the kingdom, is administratively linked to the General intelligence Directorate in the state security Presidency, it has a supreme council chaired by his Royal Highness the Minister of interior and a number of scientific and independent advisory committee. Terrorist crime law which was issued by a royal decree no. 16/M on 24/2/1435 and renewed in 11/2/1439 AH, include two articles which are considered as the legal basis for the centre, its work and responsibility: article 88 and 89. The institution also acts on the basis of some strategies premises:

1. Abide by the Islamic sharia principles

2. Intellectual confrontation to the extremism

3. Protection of national security

4. Community integration

5. Enhancing cooperation with other parties

6. Keep up with changes

7. Achieve a normal life for the beneficiaries

8. Strengthen international confrontation of terrorism

The mission of the centre is carried out through three main operational and executive phases that come into action at different stages of the process. The first phase is the counseling one which happens already inside prison during the last period of sentence and is considered the first step in the centre’s efforts in disclosing and refuting misconceptions trough persuasive discourses which provide clear Sharia evidence. The second phase takes place in the centre and consists in rehabilitation to correct ideas as well as developing knowledge and skills for the reintegration into society. Finally, the phase of care is enacted when the beneficiary has already re-entered society as a means of re-integration and social adjustment.

The second phase of rehabilitation carried out at the centre is clearly the most intensive one; indeed the permanence of a beneficiary in the structure can range from 12 weeks to a maximum of one year according to the severity of the case or other necessities. The aims of this phase are accomplished through a set of different programs which include cognitive techniques (e.g., Religious, psychological, art therapy, etc.), training workshops, cultural sessions, sport activities and finally various service provided including family and conjugal visits as well as holidays for the progressive detachment from the centre. Also the last executive stage, care, include a set of programs offered to the beneficiary after graduating from the centre and it includes health, social, educational, professional and financial aid that aim at improving the living as well as psychological conditions of the beneficiary himself and his family.

Conclusion and evaluation

The centre is undoubtedly one of the most advanced and holistic programs for de-radicalization worldwide and has received international acclaim from numerous organisms and personalities including the United Nations. Moreover, it has accomplished important achievements which include the construction of the extremist treatment framework developed in four phases which encompass dealing with ideological dimension, integrating with psychological and social dimensions, addressing up to date issues in the terrorism field and directly dealing with terrorists. Furthermore, according to official statistics, over the past decayed approximately 137 beneficiaries from Guantanamo plus 4750 beneficiaries from local prisons graduated from the centre which approximately 88% of success rate measured on the basis of recidivism.

Despite these successes Mohammad Bin Nayef Center for Advice, Counseling and Care also presents some shortcomings. Firstly, the exclusion of women from the program in spite of proven global tendency of increasing role of women in terrorist organizations, exemplified by the current extensive use that Daesh has been making of women, also in combat roles . Secondly, a significant challenge that affects 3 generally de-radicalization program is the effective measurement of success. Indeed, since the phenomenon of radicalization is incredibly multifaceted and complex, measuring the rate of success based only on the percentage of recidivism is intrinsically flawed. Furthermore, though the program has been active since 2004, it may not have been operational enough to evaluate if the behavioral changes are truly lasting in a long-term perspective . 4

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia de-radicalization model enacted by the Mohammad Bin Nayef Center for Advice, Counseling and Care represents an imperfect albeit useful and high tailored role model that international de-radicalization programs should consider in their “soft” efforts to counter extremism.

Elizabeth Buner, Doing Our Part: Acknowledging and Addressing Women’s Contributions to ISIS, 22 Wm. & Mary J. 3 Women & L. 419 (2016), https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmjowl/vol22/iss2/8

Porges, Marisa. “Saudi Arabia's 'Soft' Approach to Terrorist Prisoners: A Model for Others?.” In Prisons, Terrorism and 4 Extremism: Critical Issues in Management, Radicalisation and Reform. 2014.

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Raffaella Colletti holds a bachelor in Political Science from LUISS university in Rome, Italy with a semester abroad at Sciences Po Paris. She also holds an MA in Intelligence and International Security from Kings College London. She undertook professional experiences in the field of risk management, research as well as in the context of European and international institutions, namely Europol and NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Her main research interests are Islamist terrorism, radicalization and de-radicalization programs.

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