Saudi Arabia Executes Two Shia Activists Involved in 2011 Qatif Protests
Saudi Arabian authorities executed two Shia activists yesterday who had been imprisoned and sentenced to death for participating in the 2011 protests in Qatif. Human rights organizations had previously raised concerns about the fairness of their trial process.
According to Mehr news agency citing Al Arabiya 21, the two individuals were Fazil bin Hasan bin Abdullah Safwani and Jawad bin Abdullah bin Ali Qariris. A UN-affiliated working group had earlier deemed the arrest of one of them as arbitrary.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that the discretionary death sentences were carried out after the two were convicted of joining a foreign terrorist organization, shooting at security forces and vehicles, possessing weapons and ammunition, and providing financial support for terrorist operations. The ministry stated that the sentences were finalized following approval by the Supreme Court and the issuance of a royal decree for execution.
The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights had earlier reported that the Saudi Supreme Court in late 2024 overturned death sentences for several protesters, including Safwani and Qariris; however, following retrial, new death sentences were issued for them.
Safwani’s name appeared on a list of 23 individuals sought by Saudi authorities in 2012, and he was arrested at the end of December 2020. According to documentation from the “MENA Human Rights” organization, Qariris also participated in protests and funeral ceremonies during 2011 and 2012. Human rights organizations documented instances of torture, solitary confinement, and forced confessions extracted under duress from him.
Based on statistics compiled from human rights organizations and official data, the number of executions in Saudi Arabia has reached at least 209 since the start of this year. The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights had recorded 204 cases up to November 7, and Saudi authorities announced the execution of five additional sentences on November 11, 12, and 14.
