[Field News] Saudi Dissident Journalist Executed After 7 Years of Secret Imprisonment and Trial

A dissident journalist in Saudi Arabia has been executed after seven years of imprisonment.

According to ABC News, AP News, and other foreign media on the 16th (local time), the journalist executed was Turki al-Jasser, a man in his late 40s. The execution reportedly took place on June 14.

Al-Jasser was arrested in 2018 during a raid on his home, during which Saudi authorities confiscated his computer and cellphone. He was sentenced to death by Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court on charges of terrorism and treason.

However, no information was disclosed about where or how the trial was conducted, or how long it took to reach the verdict.

From 2013 to 2015, Al-Jasser ran a personal blog, posting about issues such as the 2011 Arab Spring, women’s rights, and royal corruption.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), based in New York, stated that Saudi authorities targeted Al-Jasser for allegedly operating an anonymous X (formerly Twitter) account that exposed royal corruption, and for posting controversial content related to militant groups.

CPJ criticized Saudi Arabia, saying, “The lack of accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi continues to fuel repression of journalists in the kingdom.”

The Khashoggi case refers to the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He was a columnist for the Washington Post and a prominent critic of the regime.

U.S. intelligence pointed to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the one behind the assassination, but Saudi authorities denied involvement.

CPJ added, “The international community's silence on the Khashoggi case is not just a betrayal of one journalist. It has enabled Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to continue his crackdown on the press.”

Reprieve, an anti-death penalty organization, commented, “The execution of Al-Jasser once again shows that questioning or criticizing Prince Mohammed bin Salman can mean death in Saudi Arabia.”

The case has sparked renewed scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s suppression of dissent and its inhumane application of the death penalty. According to AP News, as of 2024, 330 executions have already taken place in the kingdom, often involving beheadings and mass executions.

Source: Yonhap News via Naver

Scripture (Psalm 111:7–9, ESV)“The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!”(Psalm 111:7–9, ESV)

Heavenly Father, we hear of the execution of a dissident journalist who had been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for seven years under the rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Lord, in light of this case, we pray that You would bring justice against the wickedness of the Saudi regime, which labels dissenters as terrorists and traitors and carries out executions without hesitation.

Grant not only freedom of the press, but also freedom of religion and freedom to proclaim the gospel in Saudi Arabia.

As the door to Saudi Arabia is opening through the Crown Prince’s moderate Islamic reform policies, and as Muslims in the kingdom begin to hear the gospel by Your grace, we ask that You use the Saudi Church to bring the good news to even more souls.

Be with Saudi Christians who are preserving their faith amid persecution and hardship. May the Holy Spirit strengthen them and answer their prayers daily, so that their faith grows even firmer.

Even in the face of death, may they never deny Jesus, but rise up as holy people of God, boldly proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom to the end.

Through the Saudi Church, may the people of Saudi Arabia be redeemed from the sin and darkness committed in the name of Islam.

Stir the global Church to pray for the Saudi people and their suffering. Let God’s truth and justice come upon the land, and may the nation learn to walk in Your statutes.

Lord, we remember the eternal covenant You have established among the Saudi people!

Raise them up as a holy people who give water to the thirsty and bread to those who flee, and may the Saudi nation awaken to declare the holiness and supremacy of the one true Lord, Yahweh, among all nations.

Amen.