Rights Group Warns of Imminent Executions of Juvenile Offenders in Saudi Arabia

Rights Group Warns of Imminent Executions of Juvenile Offenders in Saudi Arabia
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A Saudi-based human rights organization has renewed warnings over the possible execution of six individuals arrested as minors in Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about alleged violations of international law.

The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights said the detainees were convicted on charges it described as politically motivated, linked to their alleged participation in peaceful protests between 2017 and 2018.

The group identified five of the cases as Ali al-Subaiti, Hassan al-Faraj, Youssef al-Manasif, Jawad Qurayris, and Ali al-Mubaiyq, stating that they were under 18 at the time of their arrest. According to the organization, some were accused of attending demonstrations or funerals of individuals killed during security operations. In one case, the group said a defendant was 12 years old at the time of the alleged offense.

The organization alleged that Saudi authorities relied on counterterrorism legislation with broad definitions to prosecute the individuals and warned that some face discretionary death sentences.

Saudi authorities have previously stated that reforms have been introduced to limit the use of the death penalty against minors, including amendments to the Juvenile Law. However, rights groups argue that exceptions and discretionary rulings still expose some defendants arrested as minors to capital punishment.

The latest warning comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and its application of capital punishment laws.