Saudi Arabia Executes Abdullah Al-Saleem Amid Ambiguity Surrounding Charges

On Saturday, January 18, 2025, Saudi authorities carried out the execution of Abdullah bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Saleem in the Eastern Province. In its statement, the Ministry of Interior claimed Al-Saleem was involved in “joining a terrorist entity and manufacturing explosives to target security personnel.” However, no clear details were provided about the alleged entity or the evidence behind the accusations.

Sanad Human Rights Organization strongly condemned the execution, labeling it part of a pattern of politically motivated executions carried out against critics or dissidents. The organization highlighted the use of vague and broadly defined charges, often unsupported by credible evidence or fair legal proceedings, as a tool to silence dissent and settle political scores.

Sanad emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s record in this area is alarming. The authorities have repeatedly used anti-terrorism laws to target reform advocates and activists. Numerous human rights reports have documented the use of torture to extract confessions and the lack of public trials that uphold the right to a fair defense. Such politically motivated executions constitute a blatant violation of justice and the right to life.

The organization called on Saudi authorities to immediately halt all politically driven executions and to review all similar cases to ensure fairness and transparency. It also urged the international community and human rights institutions to take prompt action to pressure Saudi Arabia into ending these severe violations.

Sanad stressed that the continuation of politically motivated executions would only deepen repression and further erode human rights in the country. The organization affirmed that respecting the right to life and justice is fundamental to achieving genuine stability in any nation.