In a stark demonstration of its harsh stance against dissent, Saudi Arabia executed journalist Turki Al-Jasser after arresting him in 2018, and convicting him on terrorism and treason charges.
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Human rights groups argue that these charges were fabricated.
Al-Jasser’s execution underscores ongoing concerns about the kingdom’s suppression of free speech and criticism.
Turki Al-Jasser, reportedly in his late 40s, was put to death on June 14, 2025, following the Saudi top court’s decision to uphold his death penalty.
Arrested in 2018, authorities accused him of operating a social media account critical of the Saudi royal family.
Human rights groups have challenged these charges, asserting they were concocted to silence Al-Jasser.
They point out that his trial and conviction were shrouded in secrecy, a claim that highlights the recurring issue of lack of transparency within Saudi judicial processes, The Economic Times reports.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has condemned this execution, linking it to Saudi Arabia’s broader crackdown on press freedom under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership.
A recent surge in executions in the kingdom has drawn international criticism, with 330 people executed in 2024 alone according to human rights organizations.
“Al-Jasser’s execution once again demonstrates that in Saudi Arabia, the punishment for criticizing or questioning Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is death,” said Jeed Basyouni from Reprieve US.
The execution of Al-Jasser is reminiscent of the international outrage that followed the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with accusations that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved.
Such high-profile cases have led to severe criticism over the Saudi government’s brutal methods, including their notorious use of beheading for execution.
Saudi Arabia also drew ire following the imprisonment of individuals for social media activity, including a British analyst and a Saudi-American national detained for tweets from the United States.
These cases fuel ongoing concerns about the kingdom’s relentless move against perceived enemies and critics.
This ruthless disposition against criticism and independent journalism within the Middle Eastern kingdom serves as a stark reminder of the oppressive regimes that seek to curb freedom.
The world watches as these practices continue with little accountability, demanding that justice prevails for silenced voices like Al-Jasser’s.
Saudi Arabia executed a citizen named Turki Al-Jasser for the crime of "high treason" after he was arrested years ago after the Twitter ( @x ) office in #Dubai revealed his identity, as he was using a fake Twitter account called (Kashkool) and specialized in publishing violations… pic.twitter.com/2eADEBMfmk
— Wajeeh Gay Lion وجيه جي لايون (@WajeehLionn) June 15, 2025
