Last year, Saudi teacher Asaad al-Ghamdi was given 20 years in prison for criticising the government online -- one of a wave of heavy sentences that drew international condemnation.

Last month he was unexpectedly released, joining dozens of political prisoners to be freed as the authorities seek to improve their image overseas.

According to an AFP tally, more than 30 dissidents, many jailed for social media posts, have been released since December, in an apparent rollback of "bad laws" singled out by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler.

"Some judges think they're pleasing the government by issuing 30-year prison sentences for a tweet," one source close to the government told AFP.

"The crown prince did not ask for that and he is not pleased with it."

Even fringe figures with small online followings have been handed multi-decade sentences by Saudi Arabia's Specialised Criminal Court, which handles terrorism cases.

While there are signs of an apparent shift, many dissidents remain behind bars.

Analysts have said recent releases are likely part of a bid by Saudi rulers to soften their image abroad, rather than of any systemic reform.

Among those swept up in the crackdown was Salma al-Shehab, a University of Leeds PhD student and mother of two, who........

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