Saudi Arabia Executes Two Military Personnel for Treason
Saudi Arabia Executes Two Military Personnel for Treason
On October 23, 2022, Saudi Arabia announced the execution of two military personnel for treason. The men, Sergeant Major Ali bin Fahd bin Ali bin Mubarak and Sergeant Major Nasser bin Abdullah bin Mutlaq al-Qahtani, were found guilty of collaborating with Iran and harming the kingdom’s interests, according to a statement from the Saudi Press Agency.
The executions were carried out after the men were convicted in closed-door trials by the Specialized Criminal Court, which was established in 2011 to deal with terrorism cases. The court’s rulings are final and not subject to appeal.
The executions drew international condemnation, with human rights organizations calling them a violation of international law and due process. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, said the executions were “particularly shocking” given that the men had not been allowed to choose their own lawyers or challenge the evidence against them.
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with a long history of human rights abuses. The country has a strict interpretation of Islamic law, and punishments for crimes such as blasphemy, apostasy, and drug trafficking can be severe, including the death penalty.
The executions are the latest in a series of human rights violations by the Saudi government. In recent years, the country has come under fire for its crackdown on dissent, arbitrary detention of activists and human rights defenders, and use of torture.
The executions are a clear sign that the Saudi government is determined to silence any opposition and maintain its grip on power. The international community must condemn these executions and call on Saudi Arabia to respect human rights and the rule of law.
