Saudi Journalist Executed for Tweet: Government Censorship and the Death Penalty
Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed in Riyadh after seven years of detention, for alleged crimes against national security, including communicating with individuals outside the kingdom. His execution follows the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi and is believed to be linked to anonymous Twitter accounts criticizing the Saudi royal family. Al-Jasser’s case highlights the Saudi government’s crackdown on dissent, facilitated by the infiltration of Twitter and subsequent access to user data. Despite international condemnation and legal mechanisms for intervention, the execution underscores Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s continued intolerance of criticism.
John Q. Hosedrinker