Retired Saudi Teacher Sentenced to Death for Online Comments
Amidst an escalating crackdown on free speech, a retired Saudi teacher, Muhammad al-Ghamdi, has been sentenced to death for his online comments. Al-Ghamdi, who posted five tweets criticizing corruption and human rights violations, was arrested last year and given limited access to a lawyer before his conviction in July.
The charges against al-Ghamdi are grave, including undermining religion or justice, supporting a terrorist ideology, communicating with a terrorist entity, and publishing false news. However, human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the sentence, arguing that peaceful tweets should not result in the death penalty.
According to reports from these organizations, Saudi Arabia has executed at least 92 people this year and recorded 148 executions in 2022 alone. This surge in capital punishment further underscores the escalating crackdown on free speech within the country.
The severity of al-Ghamdi’s sentence is believed to be aimed at punishing his brother, Saeed, a prominent Saudi Islamic scholar and government critic. Saeed, who resides outside of Saudi Arabia, has been asked by Saudi authorities to return to the country, but he has steadfastly refused.
As news of al-Ghamdi’s death sentence spreads, international attention has turned to Saudi authorities for an explanation and response. CNN reached out to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior for comment, but as of yet, they have not received a response.
This case once again raises concerns about the limitations placed on freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of individuals facing severe punishment for criticizing the government or expressing dissenting views.
As the world watches, the fate of al-Ghamdi now hangs in the balance. Many hope that his sentence will be reconsidered and that Saudi Arabia will take steps towards respecting and protecting basic human rights, including the right to free speech.
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