Saudi Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Youssef al-Manasif Over Childhood Protests
Youssef al-Manasif faces imminent execution in Saudi Arabia after the country’s supreme court upheld his death sentence for attending protests and funerals as a teenager. Manasif, who was taken into custody in 2017 at an age between 15 and 17 years old, was found guilty by the specialised criminal court for offenses that included participating in Shia minority protests advocating for religious freedom and attending funeral processions classified by Saudi officials as demonstrations.
Arrest and Trial Details From 2017 to 2022
Saudi authorities detained Manasif in 2017. The human rights charity Reprieve states that Manasif was tortured and coerced into signing a false confession. Furthermore, he only met his state-appointed lawyer for the first time in 2022—five years after his arrest. His case was processed through the specialised criminal court, a secretive tribunal set up for terrorism-related cases.
Chair @DrMahmood40: “Youssef al-Manasif faces imminent execution after the Saudi Supreme Court secretly, and egregiously, upheld his death penalty. He was just a minor who was tortured into “confessing” to unjust charges after protesting the govts discrimination against Shia.” pic.twitter.com/PN6M0d8MQG
Royal Decrees Versus Recent Executions in Saudi Courts
The supreme court’s decision to uphold Manasif’s execution contrasts with official legal reforms enacted by Riyadh. Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree in 2020 abolishing the death penalty for children, stating that individuals would not be sentenced to death for crimes committed when they were minors. However, courts have continued to apply the death penalty to defendants whose alleged offences occurred when they were children. In April, authorities executed Ali al-Subaiti alongside his uncle, Mustafa al-Subaiti, for non-lethal “terrorist” offences committed when Ali was 12 years old. Activists note a broader surge in capital punishment under the rule of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, with 356 people executed last year, predominantly foreigners convicted of minor and non-violent drug crimes.
International Condemnation and Warnings From Human Rights Groups
Independent human rights experts associated with the United Nations have previously raised concerns regarding Manasif’s prosecution, urging the Saudi government to halt planned executions for individuals convicted of offences committed when they were under 18. According to Duaa Dhainy, a consultant working for Reprieve and the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, the government employs capital punishment as a means to demonstrate its dominance and intimidate anyone who defies its regulations. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch characterized the potential execution of Manasif for a non-violent crime committed as a minor as an unconscionable new low. Family members have not spoken in public about the case and could face harassment or arrest if they do so, leaving them with no recourse but to wait.
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