Nine Senate Democrats on Tuesday called on Saudi Arabia's King Salman to release several imprisoned dissidents and human rights activists, including a U.S. citizen held since 2017.

“Not only have reputable international organizations detailed the arbitrary detention of peaceful activists and dissidents without trial for long periods, but the systematic discrimination against women, religious minorities and mistreatment of migrant workers and others has also been well-documented,” the senators wrote in a letter.

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The lawmakers called for King Salman to pardon human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair and writer Raif Badawi, in addition to immediately releasing women’s rights activists Loujain al-Hathloul and Samar Badawi, and Dr. Walid Fitaihi, a U.S. citizen held without charges since November 2017.

Fitaihi’s son Ahmed Fitaihi has lobbied lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to call for his father’s release, and is scheduled to appear at a news conference Thursday with Sen. Patrick Leahy Patrick Joseph LeahyBattle over timing complicates Democratic shutdown strategy Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (D-Vt.) to discuss allegations that the Saudi government has tortured his father, according to The New York Times.

Sen. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioOvernight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Democrats step up hardball tactics as Supreme Court fight heats up Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP MORE (R-Fla.) said last week at a confirmation hearing for John Abizaid, President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE’s nominee for ambassador to Saudi Arabia, that the Fitaihi case indicated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has “gone full gangster.”

Tuesday's letter also expressed concerns that any domestic reforms under the crown prince have been “deeply undermined” by actions such as the murder of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi, “overreliance” on the death penalty and Saudi Arabia's military intervention in neighboring Yemen.

The letter was signed by Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinTumultuous court battle upends fight for Senate McConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden MORE (Ill.), Leahy, Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinBiden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court McConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote MORE (Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (Mass.), Ron Wyden Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate GOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high MORE (Ore.), Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeySchumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Democrats see fundraising spike following Ginsburg death Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy MORE (Mass.) and Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenSenate Democrats introduce bill to sanction Russians over Taliban bounties Trump-backed candidate wins NH GOP Senate primary to take on Shaheen Democratic senator urges Trump to respond to Russian aggression MORE (N.H.).

“Our shared interests must be underscored by support for basic values and freedoms, as anything else will not be sustainable,” the senators wrote.