Screams in Darkness: Saudi Arabia's Execution Spree Continues Amid State Visit
Jeed Basyouni is the Head of MENA death penalty projects at Reprieve.
What's worse than being sentenced to death? For Youssef al-Manasif, a Saudi citizen arrested for alleged childhood crimes, it is a second death sentence. Youssef's original conviction rested on a torture-tainted confession for offences which included the apparently unforgiveable crime of attending protests when he was just 15 years old. Last year, Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court overturned Youssef's death sentence, but he was soon tried and convicted again, based on the same so-called "evidence."
It is within this context that U.S. President Donald Trump will welcome de facto Saudi leader and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to Washington on Nov. 18. For victims of the Saudi regime's brutal crackdown on dissent, the further cozying of relations between Washington and Riyadh sends a terrifying signal: The authorities can execute and kill with impunity, and international partners will look the other way.
As disturbing as Youssef's ordeal is, it is but a drop in the ocean for Saudi Arabia. Last....
dawnmena.org
uscirf.gov
Surprised that the 2nd link is still up. I guess the regime isn't in full control of itself. For the record:
Youssef al-Manasif
Additional Name(s): ???? ???????
Gender: Male
Current Location: Ghezel Hesar Prison
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Court of Appeal ruled to uphold death sentence
Sentence: Death
Date of Detainment: April/6/2017
Date of Sentencing: October/16/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Children’s Rights Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Aid & Abetment Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use Harboring a Fugitive Illegal Assembly Illicit Financing Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Youssef al-Manasif
Extra Bio Info: Youssef al-Manasif is imprisoned and sentenced to death for his religious identity and for protesting religious freedom conditions.
On April 6, 2017, authorities arrested al-Manasif in relation to his participation in protests against the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens in al-Qatif. Al-Manasif was 20 years old at the time of his arrest and accused of crimes that he allegedly committed when he was a minor. Al-Manasif was reportedly tortured, subjected to solitary confinement, forced to sign a confession, and denied proper access to legal counsel. His family was only allowed to visit him five months after his arrest. Public prosecution reportedly charged al-Manasif with several crimes, including “participating in the funerals of some people who were shot dead by the security forces in demonstrations and raids…participating in demonstrations and riotous gatherings, chanting slogans, raising anti-state slogans, seeking to stir up sedition and division, destabilizing security, seeking to destabilize the national cohesion, advocating, participating and inciting sit-ins, demonstrations and gatherings that affect the unity and stability of the Kingdom, joining a terrorist cell, monitoring and shooting security men, selling narcotic pills to three security men, and covering up wanted persons” as well as “financing terrorism and terrorist acts.” At least two of the charges date back to when al-Manasif was 15 and 16 years old.
On October 16, 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Manasif to death.
On November 2, 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal upheld al-Manasif's sentence, according to MENA Rights Group
On March 9, 2023, an appeals court "ratified" the ruling against al-Manasif, according to the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights.
In August 2023, Youssef’s case was remitted from the Saudi Supreme Court, which marks the final stage of judicial proceedings, and thus sent back to the Court of Appeal.
In March 2024, the Court of Appeal reportedly sent the case back to the Supreme Court for a final verdict.
In November 2024, it was reported that the Saudi Supreme Court overturned al-Manasif's death sentence.
In December 2024, despite the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the death sentence, the Specialized Criminal Court began a new trial with the public prosecution again seeking the death penalty.
In February 2025, the Supreme Court reportedly reimposed al-Manasif's death sentence.
In May 2025, the Court of Appeal convened a hearing for al-Manasif's case and reportedly ruled to postpone a decision to a future date.
In August 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld al-Manasif's death sentence.
Publicly Available Information: |
