Saudi Arabia | The third and largest mass execution massacre during the reign of King Salman and his son
Although the victims were not tried collectively as part of a joint lawsuit, the Saudi Ministry of Interior filed general accusations against them in a statement it published, stating that: "They embraced the misguided thought, deviant methods and beliefs with external loyalties and hostile parties, and pledged allegiance to them for corruption and misguidance, so they committed terrorist acts, such as killing, violating sanctities, and targeting places of worship, and government headquarters."
The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights believes that this massacre is a flagrant violation of international laws and it is a complete torpedo of the allegations made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his interview with The Atlantic a few days ago, in which he said that Saudi Arabia got rid of the death penalty, except for the category of those involved in the murders.
ESOHR documented some of the cases of these victims, but it has not been able to monitor the rest due to the lack of transparency in dealing with execution cases, threats, and intimidation of families and civil society. The documentation of several cases confirmed that the charges did not include any serious charges, and some of them related to participation in demonstrations demanding justice and human rights.
Public beheading in Saudi Arabia (Warning: Graphic Content)
The Ministry of Interior claimed in a statement that:" the defendants were prosecuted before a competent court, were empowered with the guarantees, and all the rights guaranteed to them by the regulations in the Kingdom.” ESOHR had documented flagrant violations of fair trial standards, including denial of access to a lawyer, exposure to torture, and denial from communicating with the outside world.
In addition, the United Nations, through its various mechanisms, had contacted the Saudi government about the cases of some of those who were executed, including Asaad Shuber and Muhammad al-Shakhouri, and confirmed that their trials involved several violations, including torture and the lack of adequate self-defense.
ESOHR believes that the third mass massacre during the reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz is a continuation of the bloodshed that characterized this era, far from official attempts to whitewash the image of the government. The organization stresses that the mass execution confirmed that this punishment is strictly subject to the political decision, and there is no possibility of holding the tormentors and violators accountable.
The organization considers that this massacre reinforces the lack of any seriousness or confidence in official promises, and it also raises concerns for the lives and safety of individuals who are still facing the death penalty, including minors, especially since this massacre, in which 81 people were killed, was preceded by two massacres in 2016 that affected 47 people And in 2019, it affected 37 people.
Source: esohr.org, Staff, March 12, 2022
Mass execution of 81 men in Saudi Arabia
Reprieve Deputy Director Soraya Bauwens commented:
“The world should know by now that when Mohammed Bin Salman promises reform, bloodshed is bound to follow. Just last week the Crown Prince told journalists he plans to modernise Saudi Arabia’s criminal justice system, only to order the largest mass execution in the country’s history.
There are prisoners of conscience on Saudi death row, and others arrested as children or charged with non-violent crimes. We fear for every one of them following this brutal display of impunity.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to visit Saudi Arabia soon, to beg for Saudi oil to replace Russian gas. We cannot show our revulsion for Putin’s atrocities by rewarding those of the Crown Prince. Johnson must speak up and condemn these killings. “
Ali Adubusi, Director of the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, commented:
"We have details on some of the cases, and according to official documents, not a drop of blood is found in the charges of many of these men.
These executions are the opposite of justice. Some of these men were tortured, most trials were carried out in secret.
This horrific massacre took place days after Mohammed bin Salman had declared that executions would be limited. It is the third such mass killing in the seven year reign of King Salman and his son."
47 men were executed on January 2, 2016, and a mass execution of 37 prisoners was carried out on 23 April 2019, including six who were children at the time of their alleged offences.
Source: Reprieve, Staff, March 13, 2022
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde