Saudi Arabia has executed a man for crimes he committed at the age of 14 – despite the country officially abolishing the death penalty in 2020 for offences committed by minors.
This was reported by The Independent.
The outlet notes that 29-year-old Hassan Zaki al-Faraj was executed on 17 October without any prior warning. He was accused of taking part in protests against the way the kingdom treats its Shiite majority. These events took place when he was still a child.
Four other men from the Eastern Province, convicted in the same case, were executed alongside him.
Human rights organisations warn that other young people labelled “criminals” are still on death row.
According to MENA Rights Group, while in custody al-Faraj was subjected to “brutal torture”, held in solitary confinement for a prolonged period, and barred from communicating with the outside world.
In recent years, the Saudi regime has spent billions to improve its reputation, tarnished by human rights abuses. In 2020, Riyadh officially abolished the death penalty for crimes committed by minors.
Riyadh Officially Abolished the Death Penalty for Crimes Committed by Minors
“Saudi Arabia’s claim to have abolished the death penalty for crimes committed in childhood was always a lie, but now they have abandoned even the pretence of decency,” commented the London-based human rights group Reprieve, which campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty.
Human rights advocates urged the British government to intervene to save the life of 30-year-old Yousef al-Manasif, who faces imminent execution over alleged involvement in protests against the persecution of Shiite Muslims — events that occurred when he was only 15.
He was arrested in 2017 and charged with a range of offences, including participating in riots that threaten the unity and stability of the Kingdom, involvement in a terrorist cell, financing terrorism, selling drugs to security force personnel, and inciting rebellion.
Reprieve says he was tortured into signing a false confession, and that he did not meet his state-appointed lawyer until 2022 — five years after his arrest.
Both Manasif and Faraj were sentenced to death in November 2022 — more than two years after the legal changes were introduced.
- Saudi Arabia carries out most executions by beheading and is the only country where this method is still used. The death penalty is imposed for a range of crimes — from murder to adultery, “practising witchcraft”, and blasphemy.