Saudi Arabia executes 29-year-old man for crimes committed in childhood

Execution despite legislative changes

Saudi authorities executed 29-year-old Hassan Zaki al-Faraj on 17 October without prior warning. He was convicted of participating in protests against the kingdom's policy towards the Shia majority, which took place when he was still a child. This case occurred despite Riyadh officially abolishing the death penalty for crimes committed by minors in 2020.

Along with al-Faraj, four other men from the Eastern Province were executed, who were also convicted in this case. Human rights organisations warn that other young people, who were deemed "criminals", are still held in death row cells.

Detention conditions and charges

According to the MENA Rights Group, al-Faraj was subjected to cruel torture while in custody. He was held in solitary confinement for a long period and was forbidden any communication with the outside world.

Both convicts — Manasif and Faraj — received death sentences in November 2022, i.e. more than two years after the relevant legislative amendments were introduced.

Reaction of international organisations

London-based human rights group Reprieve, which campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty, commented on the event as follows: «Заява Саудівської Аравії про скасування смертної кари за злочини, вчинені в дитинстві, завжди була брехнею, але тепер вони відкинули навіть удавану пристойність» (The statement by Saudi Arabia on the abolition of the death penalty for crimes committed in childhood was always a lie, but now they have abandoned even the pretense of decency).

The organisation called on the British government to intervene to save the life of 30-year-old Youssef al-Manasif. He faces imminent execution for his alleged participation in protests against the oppression of Shia Muslims, which took place when he was only 15 years old.

In 2017, al-Manasif was arrested and faced a series of charges, including participation in riots threatening the unity and stability of the Kingdom, involvement in a terrorist cell, financing terrorism, selling drugs to security force personnel, and incitement to rebellion.

According to representatives of Reprieve, torture was applied to al-Manasif, forcing him to sign a false confession. He met with his state-appointed lawyer only in 2022 — five years after his arrest.

It is worth noting that the Saudi regime has spent billions in recent years to improve its reputation, which was damaged by numerous human rights violations.