Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior confirmed on Saturday the execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser, who had been held in detention since 2018. Al-Jasser, a prominent critic of the government, was executed on charges including treason, collaboration with foreign entities, funding terrorism, and undermining national security.
Al-Jasser, who was 45 at the time of his death, was arrested in March 2018 following suspicions that he was operating a pseudonymous account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The account, which published claims of corruption and misconduct among members of the Saudi royal family, was reportedly targeted in a broader crackdown on digital dissent. Saudi authorities have been accused of systematically monitoring and infiltrating online platforms to identify domestic critics.
At the time of his arrest, security services seized al-Jasser’s electronic devices. He was subsequently subjected to enforced disappearance, held without access to legal counsel, and denied communication with his family. Human rights organisations allege that he was tortured while in custody, including exposure to physical abuse and psychological coercion.
c had written extensively on issues considered sensitive within the kingdom, such as political reform, women’s rights, and the aftermath of the Arab Spring. His journalism appeared in the now-defunct Al-Taqrir newspaper and on his personal blog between 2013 and 2015. Following his arrest, both his public writings and identity as a journalist were largely suppressed in domestic media.
The execution has drawn condemnation from international press freedom groups. Carlos Martínez de la Serna, Chief Programme Officer at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), stated:
“We are outraged by Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent journalist Turki al-Jasser, who was detained for seven years because the regime believed he reported on allegations of corruption within the Saudi royal family… The international community’s failure to deliver justice for Jamal Khashoggi did not just betray one journalist; it emboldened de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to continue his persecution of the press, and today, another Saudi journalist has paid the price.”
Al-Jasser’s case follows a pattern of state action against dissenting voices in Saudi Arabia. The most widely publicised incident remains the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. That incident led to widespread international criticism but limited long-term consequences for the Saudi leadership.
Saudi Arabia’s use of the death penalty has significantly increased in recent years. According to rights monitors, the kingdom carried out 330 executions in 2024 — nearly double the figure recorded the previous year, and the highest number in recent decades. So far in 2025, more than 100 executions have already been reported.
UN special rapporteurs and international human rights organisations have consistently raised concerns over due process in the Saudi legal system, particularly in capital cases involving political prisoners or alleged terrorism. In multiple reports, experts have pointed to coerced confessions, lack of access to defence, and secretive judicial proceedings.
The Saudi government has made no official statement on the specific circumstances of al-Jasser’s detention or trial. A request for comment sent by CPJ to the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C., had not received a response at the time of publication.
Al-Jasser’s execution is likely to draw renewed scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, particularly its treatment of journalists, activists, and political dissidents. Observers note that while Saudi authorities have publicly promoted a narrative of social and economic reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, the country continues to impose severe restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.
Rights groups and press freedom advocates have urged Western governments to reassess their engagement with Saudi Arabia in light of the execution. However, to date, there has been no official comment from Washington, Brussels, or London on the matter.
Al-Jasser leaves behind no publicly known immediate family. His death, following years of detention under conditions described as inhumane, marks the latest case of a journalist executed by a state in connection with their work. International organisations continue to call for accountability and legal safeguards to protect journalists operating under authoritarian regimes.
Read also:
Trump Secures $200 Billion in UAE Deals Amid Gulf Investment Bonanza
