Sanad Human Rights Organization: Mohammed bin Salman is directly responsible for the execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser

Sanad Human Rights Organization strongly condemned the brutal execution of Saudi journalist and online activist Turki al-Jasser, carried out by Saudi authorities in an alarming and unprecedented escalation against freedom of expression in the Kingdom.

Sanad stressed that al-Jasser paid with his life simply for peacefully expressing his views through anonymous tweets on the platform X (formerly Twitter), in a chilling reality where freedom of speech is now met with the death penalty.

According to available information, Saudi authorities uncovered al-Jasser’s identity through a targeted cyber-espionage operation on social media platforms, which involved former Saudi employees at Twitter. Saudi national Ali Alzabarah, who held an internal position at Twitter, exploited his access to unlawfully obtain user data, while another Saudi citizen, Ahmad Abouammo (also known as Ahmad Aljbreen), acted as an intermediary with Saudi security agencies. Both individuals are wanted by the U.S. justice system.

Sanad emphasized that this crime is not an isolated incident, but part of a systematic campaign overseen directly by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at silencing free voices and suppressing dissent from across the political and social spectrum.

The organization further noted that al-Jasser’s execution, following the earlier execution of online activist Dhafer al-Shahri, signals a dangerous precedent threatening all social media users in Saudi Arabia. Every independent voice is now at risk of being targeted. Sanad also warned of the grave danger facing hundreds of detainees — both men and women — still subjected to enforced disappearance or facing sham trials, under a vengeful and intimidating policy of political executions.

Sanad called for urgent international action to halt the execution of prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia and to pressure the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those imprisoned for peacefully expressing their opinions.

The organization also called for an independent, transparent international investigation into all executions and serious human rights violations committed against journalists and activists in Saudi Arabia.

Sanad concluded its statement by warning that continued international silence in the face of these crimes will only serve to legitimize such violence, entrench impunity, and embolden the Saudi regime to intensify its repression — thereby undermining fundamental human rights and universal values.