The devastating suicide note of a well-known Saudi transgender woman, shared on a popular platform, revealed a distressing account. In the note, she expressed that a US lawyer, who had influenced her decision to return to her family and country despite their lack of acceptance towards her identity, had played a significant role in her turmoil.
The BBC World Service has identified the individual as Bader Alomair, reportedly associated with the Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington DC, based on compelling evidence. He has been linked to controversial instances involving the repatriation of numerous Saudi students from the United States, some of whom were later implicated in serious crimes during their academic pursuits.
Despite the allegations raised in the investigation, Mr. Alomair has chosen not to respond.
Originally hailing from one of Saudi Arabia’s esteemed families, Eden Knight ventured to Virginia in 2019 on a scholarship from the Saudi government to attend George Mason University. In early 2022, Eden made the courageous decision to transition from presenting as male to embracing a feminine identity, embracing feminine attire and hormone therapy.
Finding solace and acceptance within communities on X and Discord, Eden began to build an online following. A viral post featuring her Saudi identification photo juxtaposed with her new feminine presentation garnered significant attention.
In Saudi Arabia, being transgender is met with societal and governmental intolerance. Through conversations with transgender Saudis currently residing outside the kingdom, accounts of harassment and, in severe cases, violence have been shared.
Returning to Saudi Arabia presented significant challenges for Eden. As her student visa approached expiration around the time of her viral post, Eden sought asylum in the US, aiming to secure a permanent stay.
Eden recounted being contacted by an acquaintance who introduced her to American private investigator Michael Pocalyko, offering assistance with her asylum application and family reconciliation. According to Eden’s friend Hayden, with whom she resided in Georgia, Mr. Pocalyko indicated that Eden needed to relocate from Georgia to Washington DC to initiate the asylum process.
In Eden’s final post on X in late October 2022, she detailed meeting the private investigator in Washington DC, accompanied by a Saudi lawyer named Bader. Initially optimistic about the prospects, Eden soon began to question the intentions of Bader, who she claimed was pressuring her to revert her transition. Allegations surfaced that Bader attempted to discard her feminine clothing and advised her to discontinue hormone therapy.
Furthermore, Eden conveyed Bader’s counsel that she could not pursue asylum in the US, insisting her return to Saudi Arabia was necessary. Contrary to Bader’s guidance, a US immigration expert clarified the misinformation in this advice.
By December 2022, Eden informed her friends of her impending return to Saudi Arabia alongside a lawyer, expressing hope for a positive outcome. In her farewell note on X, she explicitly identified the lawyer as “Bader”.
Regrettably, it became apparent to Eden that her decision to return was
Eden had evidence that her parents had hired individuals to bring her back to Saudi Arabia, but she chose not to share this evidence with anyone. She confided in someone that the lawyer assisting her with her asylum case was collaborating with her parents without her knowledge. As time passed, Eden’s friends observed that she lost all hope of escaping Saudi Arabia.
Despite working in a junior role at a tech company, Eden presented herself as her former male self in public. She informed a friend that she was attempting to continue taking female hormones, but her parents kept confiscating them. Eden disclosed to her friends that she endured constant verbal abuse, and she even shared a video – which some have viewed – that she clandestinely recorded of a family member shouting accusations that she had been influenced by Western ideologies.
Tragically, Eden took her own life on March 12, 2023. Seeking more information about the events leading up to her death, there was an attempt to locate “Bader,” the lawyer accused by Eden of discouraging her transition and convincing her to return home. After conducting a search for attorneys with that name in the DC area, one individual was found: Bader Alomair. Limited information was available online about him, but an outdated directory listing professionals in Riyadh revealed his full Arabic name, leading to an inactive Facebook account showing his photo at Harvard Law School.
Messages from Eden to friends mentioned that her lawyer was a Harvard graduate. A crucial photo shared by a source showed Eden’s living space arranged by Mr. Alomair. By geolocating the image, it was identified as being in a residential area on the outskirts of Washington DC. According to a witness who knew Eden, she would hide her feminine possessions such as clothing, jewelry, and makeup when Mr. Alomair visited. The witness stated that Mr. Alomair forced Eden to cut her hair and discouraged her from shaving.
Efforts to contact Mr. Alomair were unsuccessful, and upon visiting the address from his DC Bar registration, he was seen leaving in an SUV with a unique license plate associated with the Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington DC. It was revealed that Mr. Alomair’s role at the embassy involved supporting Saudi students in the US, as confirmed by a colleague. News articles highlighted Mr. Alomair’s aid to Saudi students in various situations, including helping students in need after a hurricane in Florida, as well as assisting students facing legal issues.
Further investigation revealed Mr. Alomair’s involvement in arranging flights for two Saudi students who were questioned by US authorities in connection with the death of an aspiring rapper in North Carolina. The students were charged with murder, but they had already left the US by the time charges were brought against them. Documents indicated that Mr. Alomair organized their return flights to Saudi Arabia, and he was later invoiced for these flights, likely seeking reimbursement from the Saudi embassy.
Sources disclosed that Mr. Alomair had represented numerous Saudi
In a concerning development, an Arabic form originating from the Saudi embassy has emerged, requiring students to sign a promise to reimburse legal fees to the Saudi government upon their return home. Shockingly, reports indicate that some students have been attending initial court hearings only to mysteriously disappear before subsequent proceedings, raising questions about potential involvement by individuals such as Mr. Alomair.
Disturbing revelations from 2019 highlight a warning issued by the FBI, suggesting that Saudi officials may have been actively aiding in the escape of Saudi citizens from legal entanglements in the United States. The FBI’s assessment strongly suggests that officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been assisting Saudi nationals residing in the US in evading legal troubles, thus undermining the integrity of the American judicial system.
Interestingly, it has come to light that individuals outside the UK can access a documentary related to these events via YouTube. Sources have provided information indicating that Mr. Alomair is currently residing and working in the US, with ownership of multiple commercial properties in the Washington DC area. Furthermore, recent activities suggest that he may have established a new law firm in Virginia in August 2024, where he holds a prominent position as a named partner.
Despite attempts to seek clarification, responses from key figures such as Michael Pocalyko, Bader Alomair, and the Saudi embassy in Washington DC remain elusive. Efforts to engage with Eden’s family regarding their potential involvement in the unfolding narrative have also yielded no response.
For those grappling with the issues highlighted in this report, assistance can be sought from various organizations recommended by the BBC Action Line. In the UK, individuals can access support and information by calling the toll-free number 0800 066 066. Similarly, individuals from around the world can find help through alternative avenues.
BBC’s annual initiative, 100 Women, celebrates and recognizes inspirational and influential women globally. Stay connected with BBC 100 Women on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to engage in conversations using the hashtag #BBC100Women.
Through a lens of journalistic ethics and integrity, the complexity of these unfolding events underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing cross-border legal matters. As the narrative continues to evolve, staying informed and engaged remains essential in comprehending the broader implications of these interconnected developments.
