Saudi Authorities Carry Out the Seventh Political Execution Since the Beginning of 2025
Today, the Saudi authorities carried out the Ta’zir execution of Saad bin Saud bin Baniyah Al-Humaid and Abdulrahman bin Saleh bin Saleh Al-Zahrani in Riyadh, marking the sixth and seventh political executions conducted in Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the year.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Interior, both individuals were accused of vague charges such as adopting a “terrorist ideology” and inciting against the state—common accusations in politically motivated cases targeting dissidents and activists. However, the official statement failed to provide any concrete evidence or specific details supporting these allegations, reaffirming concerns that the judiciary is being used as a tool for political repression.
A Trial Lacking Justice and Transparency
This execution reflects a recurring pattern in Saudi trials that fail to meet even the most basic standards of justice. The vague charges, absence of case details, and lack of evidence disclosure highlight the lack of transparency in the Saudi legal system.
Moreover, it is alarming that Saudi Arabia increasingly relies on secret trials and coerced confessions, which are not subjected to independent legal review. In a politicized judiciary, death sentences have become a tool of intimidation to silence opposition voices.
Human Rights Condemnation and Calls to End Political Executions
Sanad Human Rights Organization strongly condemns these executions, considering them part of the Saudi authorities’ escalating political repression under the guise of counterterrorism. Sanad stresses that such executions violate international laws and human rights standards, contradicting Saudi Arabia’s international commitments.
Sanad calls on the international community and human rights organizations to urgently intervene and pressure Saudi authorities to halt further political executions and ensure fair and transparent trials that uphold defendants’ rights to justice and legal defense.
The alarming increase in executions since the start of 2025 signifies a dangerous escalation of political repression in Saudi Arabia. Instead of implementing political reforms and guaranteeing fundamental freedoms, the authorities are tightening their grip through executions and fear tactics.
Thus, Sanad urges immediate intervention to stop political executions and reexamine cases that have been handled with clear violations of justice and fairness.
