Saudi Arabia has executed journalist Turki Al-Jasser, nearly seven years after his arrest for allegedly operating a pseudonymous social media account that criticized members of the royal family. The execution, confirmed by the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday, followed the kingdom's highest court upholding his death sentence.
Al-Jasser had been detained since 2018 when authorities raided his home, confiscated his electronic devices, and accused him of running an X (formerly Twitter) account that targeted senior Saudi officials with corruption allegations. He was charged with terrorism and treason, though human rights organizations argue the accusations were politically motivated.
The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) denounced the execution, drawing parallels to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. “The failure to deliver justice for Khashoggi emboldened Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s crackdown on press freedom,” said CPJ program director Carlos Martínez de la Serna.
Al-Jasser, known for his writings on reform, the Arab Spring, and women's rights, was considered a prominent advocate for political change. Details of his trial remain unclear, raising renewed concerns about transparency and due process in Saudi Arabia's legal system.
Saudi Arabia has faced global criticism for its extensive use of capital punishment. In 2024 alone, rights groups documented at least 330 executions. Al-Jasser’s death adds to a growing list of cases involving citizens punished for expressing dissent online.
His execution also follows the case of Saad Almadi, a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen sentenced in 2021 for tweets made in the United States. Though Almadi was released in 2023, he remains under a travel ban, highlighting ongoing constraints on freedom of expression in the kingdom.
Turki Al-Jasser’s case underscores persistent fears about digital surveillance, censorship, and press suppression in Saudi Arabia, particularly under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership.
Source: UNB
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
