From January to November, 2024, 43 executions on vague charges mostly related to freedom of expression

human rights organization SANAD has documented 43 executions carried out by Saudi authorities from the start of 2024 until the end of November. These executions were based on vague charges, most of which are connected to freedom of expression. SANAD highlights that these charges often include phrases such as “betraying the nation,” “adopting terrorist ideologies,” and “showing solidarity with detainees.” In Saudi Arabia, even a single tweet can now be deemed a terrorist crime. The trials lacked even the most basic standards of justice and transparency.

Among the cases documented by the organization is the execution of citizen Dhafer Al-Shahri for a tweet he posted on social media. This case serves as a clear example of the death penalty being used as a tool to suppress freedom of expression, in blatant violation of international conventions that guarantee the right to express opinions.

In addition, SANAD reported a sharp rise in the number of executions carried out on various charges, with the total number of executions in the kingdom exceeding 300 this year. This makes 2024 the deadliest year in Saudi Arabia’s history. This escalation occurs amidst the absence of clear legal frameworks and ongoing international silence.

SANAD expresses grave concern over these figures, which reflect a dangerous increase in the use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, especially in cases involving freedom of expression and peaceful activism. The organization asserts that using vague charges to justify executions represents a blatant violation of human rights and paints a grim picture of freedoms in Saudi Arabia.

SANAD renews its call for the international community and human rights organizations to take urgent action to pressure Saudi authorities to end these violations and ensure their compliance with international standards related to human rights and fair trials.

1- Awn Al-Abdullah

2- Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaim

3- Sami Jizani

4- Hassan Al-Hazoubar

5- Ahmed Al-Shammari

6- Saeed Al-Wadai

7- Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani

8- Awad Al-Asmeri

9- Abdullah Al-Saidi

10- Mohammed Bin Haddad

11- Abdullah Al-Shammari

12- Abdulrahman Al-Shammari

13- Nouman Al-Dhafiri

14- Yahya Hazazi

15- Abdullah Al-Zahrani

16- Hussein Al-Nasser

17- Mohammed Al-Johar

18- Mowafaq Al-Harbi

19- Mojtaba Al-Ismail

20- Abdullah Al-Muheishi

21- Mohammed Al-Ateeq

22- Mohammed Al-Abduljabbar

23- Ahmed Al-Eisa

24- Abdullah Al-Qunaian

25- Abdulmajeed Al-Nimr

26- Dhafer Al-Shahri

27- Abdullah Al-Shahri

28- Talal Al-Hudhali

29- Majdi Al-Kaabi

30- Zayed Al-Kaabi

31- Mishaal Al-Ghannam

32- Khaled Al-Shahri

33- Omar Al-Shahri

34- Saad Bin Bashir Al-Ruwaili

35- Saad Bin Musnad Al-Ruwaili

36- Nayel Al-Ruwaili

37- Ali Bin Abdullah Al-Saiari

38- Abdulaziz Al-Amri

39- Ali Bin Saleh Al-Saiari

40- Saleh Al-Saiari

41-Muteb Al-Saiari

42- Mohammed Al-Amri

43- Abdullah Al-Ghamdi