Death by Tweet: Saudi Man Sentenced to Death for Online Activity Amid Rising Crackdown on Free Speech

In an unprecedented move, a Saudi judicial body has handed down a death sentence to a man solely based on his actions on social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube, according to a statement released today by Human Rights Watch. This marks a severe intensification of the Saudi administration’s restrictions on free speech and the suppression of political dissent within the nation.

The Specialized Criminal Court, the counterterrorism tribunal in Saudi Arabia, found Muhammad al-Ghamdi, a 54-year-old retired educator, guilty of multiple offenses on July 10, 2023. These offenses pertain exclusively to his non-violent expressions on the internet. The court used al-Ghamdi’s social media posts as the crux of the evidence leading to his death sentence.

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“The extent of suppression in Saudi Arabia is now staggering, where one can face the gallows merely for expressing peaceful opinions on Twitter,” Joey Shea, a researcher focusing on Saudi Arabia at Human Rights Watch, commented. “This gross miscarriage of justice epitomizes the Saudi government’s burgeoning onslaught against any form of dissent.”

Al-Ghamdi was apprehended by Saudi law enforcement on June 11, 2022, in front of his family, right outside his residence in the al-Nawwariyyah community in Mecca. Insider sources informed Human Rights Watch that he was transferred to al-Dhahban Prison, situated to the north of Jeddah. Here, he was subjected to solitary confinement for a quarter of a year. Throughout this time, his family had zero communication with him, and he had no legal representation.

During his incarceration, al-Ghamdi was interrogated regarding his political tweets and viewpoints on individuals who have been imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of speech. For nearly an entire year, al-Ghamdi did not have legal counsel. When he eventually obtained an attorney, it was merely right before his court appearances.

Al-Ghamdi is the sibling of Saeed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, a renowned Saudi theologian and critic of the government who currently resides in the United Kingdom. Saeed denounced the court’s judgment on August 24, suggesting it was a vindictive move aimed at him after failing to lure him back to Saudi Arabia. According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi authorities have been ramping up their actions against the families of overseas critics in an attempt to force their return.

Legal documents examined by Human Rights Watch indicate that al-Ghamdi was sentenced under various articles of Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism law. The court reasoned that his crimes “compromised the integrity of the King and the Crown Prince” and emphasized the seriousness because the actions were carried out via international media platforms.

Al-Ghamdi’s conviction is just the tip of the iceberg in a series of actions targeting Saudi citizens who have voiced criticism of the government through social media. This development follows the execution of 81 men earlier this year and coincides with various other cases that have seen excessive sentences handed out to critics.

Human Rights Watch has consistently criticized the Saudi criminal justice system, citing arbitrary detention, lack of legal aid, and reliance on confessions extracted through torture.

International human rights standards stipulate that the death penalty should only be employed for the most serious of offenses and in extraordinary conditions. However, in Saudi Arabia, where the Royal Family and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hold sway, even a tweet can lead to the gallows.

“Given that a mere tweet can lead to a death sentence, it’s hard to reconcile Saudi Arabia’s public commitments to human rights reform with the reality on the ground,” said Shea.

Frequently Asked Questions: Saudi Arabia’s Death Sentence for Social Media Activity