Full Breakdown
Saudi Arabia Executes Individuals for Non-Violent Offences, Prompting International Human-Rights Concerns
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Saudi authorities upheld a death sentence against Youssef al-Manasif, arrested in 2017 for attending Shia-minority protests as a teenager, and executed two Bangladeshi expatriates—Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar—for “immoral acts” inside a Mecca mosque. Both cases involve capital punishment for non-violent conduct and have drawn criticism from human-rights organisations.
Background & Context
The specialised criminal court, originally created for terrorism cases, sentenced al-Manasif after a five-year period during which he met his state-appointed lawyer only in 2022. The Ministry of Interior said the Bangladeshi executions were needed to protect mosque sanctity and enforce Islamic law. Although a 2020 royal decree abolished the death penalty for crimes committed by minors, Saudi courts have continued to impose death sentences for offences alleged to have occurred before age 18, including the 2022 execution of Ali al-Subaiti (aged 12 at the time of the alleged act).
Data & Statistics
- Reprieve reports at least 17 people who were children at the time of their alleged offences have been executed in Saudi Arabia since 2015.
- The kingdom recorded 356 executions last year, most involving foreign nationals convicted of minor, non-violent drug offences.
- Two Bangladeshi nationals were executed in early October 2026, according to multiple outlets.
Official Statements & Responses
The ministry did not disclose details of the alleged acts or provide residency documentation. UN independent human-rights experts have called for an immediate halt to executions of persons convicted of offences allegedly committed while under 18, urging compliance with international standards.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The Bangladeshi consulate in Jeddah said it received no diplomatic notification about the arrests, trial or executions, learning of the matter only through media reports.
- Saudi authorities have not disclosed the specific nature of the “immoral acts” alleged to have occurred inside the mosque, leaving the legal basis for the death sentences unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is nothing they can do now but wait,” — Duaa Dhainy
- “They are using execution as a tool to show how powerful they are and how they can threaten anyone who does not follow their rules,” — Duaa Dhainy
- “We think he should be treated as a minor and not sentenced to death as his charges relate to when he was under 18.” — Human Rights Watch
Why It Matters
The cases illustrate a pattern of Saudi Arabia employing the death penalty for non-violent offences, including actions undertaken by minors, despite the formal decree prohibiting such sentences. Lack of transparency around legal proceedings and diplomatic notifications raises concerns about due process and the kingdom’s adherence to international human-rights obligations.
What's Next
Human-rights organisations have called for Saudi Arabia to halt executions of individuals for crimes alleged to have been committed as minors and to provide full disclosure of the legal reasoning behind the recent executions. Diplomatic inquiries from Bangladesh’s consular office remain unanswered, and further international scrutiny is expected.