On February 10, 2024, the Saudi Press Agency stated the implementation of a death sentence against the citizen Hassan bin Thabit Al-Hazouber by the Ministry of Interior. The statement did not specify the type of sentence imposed on Al-Hazouber, marking the second sentence carried out since the beginning of 2024 without its type being disclosed, likely indicating it was Taazir punishment.
According to the statement, Al-Hazouber was charged with shielding and communicating with a deceased terrorist, as well as meeting with him while being aware of his criminal schemes. The statement emphasizes that the defendant did not face charges of the utmost severity under international law, limited exclusively to homicide charges. Furthermore, the statement began with a loosely defined description of the alleged crime, with the ministry stating that he committed a "dangerous crime threatening national security."
Saudi policies prevent the tracking of cases and trial proceedings. Nevertheless, the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights views this execution as an indication of the kingdom's insistence on implementing death sentences for charges that are not of the utmost severity.
Furthermore, it appears from the statement and previous data that did not mention the type of sentence and other usual details, Saudi Arabia is moving towards more ambiguity regarding the execution of punishment and the surrounding information. The ambiguity and lack of transparency in dealing with information about sentences, along with intimidation and coercion practiced against families to prevent any documentation of cases and violations, may indicate a multiplication of violations.
The European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights notes that since the beginning of 2024 until February 14, Saudi Arabia has carried out 19 death sentences, two of which were against individuals not charged with murder. The nationalities were: 14 Saudis, 4 Ethiopians, and 1 Yemeni. Of those executed, 16 were male, and 2 were female. These numbers raise concerns about the expected number of executions in 2024, as Saudi Arabia executed 172 sentences in 2023, a record number, despite the first sentence being carried out in March.
In addition to this, there is information confirming the issuance of new death sentences by the Specialized Criminal Court against young men arrested in connection with the events and protests witnessed in the Qatif region.
ESOHR considers the information and indicators to increase the risk for individuals sentenced to death, including 65 cases monitored by the organization, most of whom face charges related to expressing opinions, protesting, and exercising legitimate rights. It also raises concerns about the lives of 9 minors, whose lives Saudi Arabia continues to threaten.