On 21 March 2011, during the 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests, al-Bejadi was arrested along with about several other people following a protest calling for the release of political prisoners that had taken place on 20 March. Al-Bejadi was arrested in his house by Mabahith, the Saudi Arabian internal security agency, in Buraidah. Security forces surrounding his house and blockaded roads leading to it. He was arrested in handcuffs and manacles and taken to his office, which was searched for several hours while he remained shackled. ACPRA stated that the arrest was arbitrary, in violation of the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia and the "Law of Criminal Procedures". Amnesty International designated al-Bajadi a prisoner of conscience, "held solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association".