Additional Name(s): عبدالله الدرازي
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: Death
Date of Detainment: August/27/2014
Date of Sentencing: February/20/2018
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Children’s Rights Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Aid & Abetment Arms Trafficking & Illicit Use of Weapons Illegal Assembly Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Abdullah al-Derazi is imprisoned and sentenced to death for his religious identity and for protesting religious freedom conditions.
On August 27, 2014, Tarut Island Police arrested al-Derazi in relation to his participation in protests against the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens in al-Qatif. Al-Derazi was 18 years old at the time of his arrest and accused of crimes that he allegedly committed when he was a minor. Al-Derazi was reportedly tortured, subjected to solitary confinement, forced to sign confessions, held incommunicado, and denied proper access to legal counsel. His family did not know his whereabouts until three months after his arrest. Public prosecution reportedly charged al-Derazi with several crimes, including “participating in the formation of a terrorist cell aimed at destabilizing the internal security in the country and targeting security men, participating in demonstrations and marches, attacking and destroying public property, carrying out acts of sabotage and chaos, obstructing the road and seeking to cause strife, division and division in the country, assaulting security men by throwing explosion bottles at them, blocking the road for pedestrians by burning tires, chanting anti-state slogans, participating in Ahmed Al-Matar’s funeral and organizing the funeral (distributing water during it).” At least one of the charges date back to when al-Derazi was 17 years old.
On February 20, 2018, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Derazi to death, according to MENA Rights Group.
On or around August 8, 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal upheld al-Derazi’s sentence.
On an unspecified date, the Supreme Court reportedly upheld al-Derazi’s sentence. He thus faces imminent threat of execution.
Photo used with permission from MENA Rights Group
"Saudi Arabia: UN expert alarmed by imminent execution of child defendant" UN Officer of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
"Young Saudi dissident faces capital punishment for acts committed as a minor" MENA Rights Group
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom Conditions in Saudi Arabia December 2022
“Saudi Arabia Endorses the Execution of the Torture Victim the Minor Abdullah Al-Derazi” European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR)
"Saudis sentence teenagers to death despite vow to stop" The Times
Additional Name(s): يوسف المناسف
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: Death
Date of Detainment: April/6/2017
Date of Sentencing: October/16/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Children’s Rights Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Aid & Abetment Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use Harboring a Fugitive Illegal Assembly Illicit Financing Terrorism Treason & Sedition
Youssef al-Manasif is imprisoned and sentenced to death for his religious identity and for protesting religious freedom conditions.
On April 6, 2017, authorities arrested al-Manasif in relation to his participation in protests against the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens in al-Qatif. Al-Manasif was 20 years old at the time of his arrest and accused of crimes that he allegedly committed when he was a minor. Al-Manasif was reportedly tortured, subjected to solitary confinement, forced to sign a confession, and denied proper access to legal counsel. His family was only allowed to visit him five months after his arrest. Public prosecution reportedly charged al-Manasif with several crimes, including “participating in the funerals of some people who were shot dead by the security forces in demonstrations and raids…participating in demonstrations and riotous gatherings, chanting slogans, raising anti-state slogans, seeking to stir up sedition and division, destabilizing security, seeking to destabilize the national cohesion, advocating, participating and inciting sit-ins, demonstrations and gatherings that affect the unity and stability of the Kingdom, joining a terrorist cell, monitoring and shooting security men, selling narcotic pills to three security men, and covering up wanted persons” as well as “financing terrorism and terrorist acts.” At least two of the charges date back to when al-Manasif was 15 and 16 years old.
On October 16, 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Manasif to death.
On November 2, 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal upheld al-Manasif's sentence, according to MENA Rights Group
On March 9, 2023, an appeals court "ratified" the ruling against al-Manasif, according to the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights.
Photo used with permission from MENA Rights Group
"Young Saudi dissident faces execution for protesting as a minor" MENA Rights Group
"Saudi Arabia Threatens the Lives of at Least 9 Minors" European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR)
European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, Tweet, October 18, 2022
“Saudi Arabia calls for the imposition of Hirabah punishment against the minor Youssef Al-Manasif” European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR)
Additional Name(s): صالح آل طالب
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group: Arab
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August//2018
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Saleh Al Talib is imprisoned for expressing religious views criticizing government policies.
In August 2018, authorities arrested Talib, an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, following a sermon he gave criticizing the government’s General Entertainment Authority for sponsoring concerts and events that contradicted religious and cultural norms.
In February 2022, it was reported that the Specialized Criminal Court had acquitted Talib.
In August 2022, it was reported that the Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal overturned Talib’s acquittal and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
“Saudi Arabia: Former imam of Mecca's Grand Mosque jailed for 10 years” Middle East Eye
Dawn السعودية, Tweet, August 22, 2022
معتقلي الرأي, Tweet, August 22, 2022
معتقلي الرأي, Tweet, February 21, 2022
معتقلي الرأي, Tweet, August 30, 2021
2018 Report on International Religious Freedom: Saudi Arabia U.S. Department of State
“Saudi ‘detains’ Mecca imam who ‘challenged mixed gatherings’” Al Jazeera