Saudi Arabia Executes 47 Individuals in 2024 for Charges Related to Freedom of Expression, Among a Total of 345 Cases This Year

Out of 345 executions carried out in 2024, Sanad Human Rights Organization has documented 47 executions in Saudi Arabia based on vague charges largely tied to freedom of expression. These charges included “betraying the nation,” “adopting terrorist ideologies,” and “showing solidarity with detainees.” In Saudi Arabia, even a single tweet on social media can lead to accusations of terrorism, reflecting a systematic policy to restrict freedoms and suppress dissenting voices.

Sanad pointed out that these executions were conducted after trials that lacked basic standards of justice and transparency. Legal safeguards for fair trials were blatantly ignored, in violation of international agreements protecting freedom of expression and human rights.

Among the documented cases, the organization highlighted the execution of citizen Dhafer Al-Shahri for a tweet he posted on social media, as well as the execution of a Shia citizen accused of “joining Al-Qaeda,” revealing fabricated charges and the judiciary’s use as a tool for political and social repression.

In addition to executions related to freedom of expression, Sanad reported an unprecedented rise in the total number of executions in 2024, reaching 345 cases. This makes 2024 the bloodiest year in Saudi Arabia’s modern history, reflecting a dangerous escalation and a growing disregard for fundamental human and legal principles. This has occurred amidst an alarming international silence.

In light of this escalation, Sanad Human Rights Organization has called on the international community and UN bodies to urgently pressure Saudi authorities to stop using the death penalty as a tool to suppress opposition and silence voices. The organization also urged the imposition of sanctions on those responsible for these violations and emphasized the need to protect human rights defenders within Saudi Arabia.

Sanad stressed that continued international silence amounts to implicit complicity in crimes committed against freedom of expression and human rights. The organization calls for an urgent global response to stop the loss of lives, hold Saudi authorities accountable for repeated violations, and ensure adherence to international standards to achieve justice.