Silencing Dissent: The Shocking Execution of Saudi Journalist Turki al-Jasser
June 18 , 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Turki al-Jasser, a Saudi journalist known for his outspoken critiques of the government, has been executed in the Kingdom’s capital following seven years of detention. The charges: high treason and collaborating with foreign parties. Human rights groups have called his death a tragic milestone in the suppression of free speech in Saudi Arabia.
The execution, which according to tradition in Saudi Arabia likely involved beheading by sword, is the most high-profile state killing of a journalist since the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
A Tweet That Foretold the End
In 2014, al-Jasser ominously tweeted, “The Arab writer can be easily killed by their government under the pretext of ‘national security.’” Years later, this statement would mirror his fate.
While publicly he ran the blog Al-Mashhad Al-Saudi, covering sensitive topics like women’s rights and Palestine, authorities believe he also operated a widely followed anonymous Twitter account critical of the royal family. That account reportedly accused top officials of corruption and human rights abuses.
How Twitter Became a Tool of Repression
According to U.S. court documents, Saudi agents infiltrated Twitter (now X) between 2014 and 2015 to unmask dissident users. Two Twitter employees and a Saudi national were indicted for providing access to IP addresses and private data. One, Ahmad Abouammo, was convicted of acting as a foreign agent and taking bribes in exchange for leaking user information to the Saudi monarchy.
Critics argue that Twitter's negligence enabled these breaches, leading to arrests and torture. Al-Jasser’s exposure is believed to have stemmed from that operation, prompting his arrest and secret detention starting in 2018.
Torture and Repression
Rights advocates claim al-Jasser was tortured during his incarceration. His story parallels that of Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, a humanitarian worker sentenced to 20 years in prison after operating a parody account. His sister, Areej, said in a 2023 interview, “They broke his fingers, saying this is the hand you tweet with.”
According to Reporters Without Borders, al-Jasser is the first journalist to be executed under the reign of Mohammed bin Salman, and the second globally since 2020. Legal experts note that Saudi law requires approval from the crown prince or king for any execution—approval that was clearly given in this case.
Western Silence and a Missed Opportunity
The U.S. State Department has not issued any official comment. Meanwhile, the Saudi leadership continues to reassure foreign allies of reforms. In a 2023 interview with Fox News, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman admitted the Kingdom has “bad laws,” but said they are being revised. He referenced the case of Mohammed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, sentenced to death for online posts—his sentence was later commuted.
A Dangerous Message
“With Jasser’s execution, Mohammed bin Salman has once again shown us that he remains a vindictive, thin-skinned tyrant,” said Sarah Leah Whitson of DAWN, the pro-democracy group founded by Khashoggi. “He has weaponized the judiciary to silence dissent, using terrorism laws against peaceful critics.”
Al-Jasser’s death is more than a personal tragedy—it’s a message to all Saudi voices seeking truth through social media: silence or suffer. As global governments continue to engage the Kingdom for economic interests, critics argue that human rights are once again being traded for oil and influence.