Saudi Arabia sentences man to death for criticizing government on social media

A Saudi Arabian court has sentenced a government critic to death for posts he made on social media denouncing alleged corruption and human rights abuses.

Mohammed al-Ghamdi was arrested in 2022 and charged with “spreading false information” and “defaming the state.” His brother, Saeed al-Ghamdi, said the case against Mohammed was based on posts he made on Twitter criticizing the government and expressing support for prisoners of conscience.

Mohammed al-Ghamdi’s Twitter account had only nine followers.

The sentencing of Mohammed al-Ghamdi is a reminder of the harsh reality facing many government critics in Saudi Arabia. The country has a long history of using the death penalty to silence dissent, and the Specialised Criminal Court, which sentenced Mohammed al-Ghamdi, has a reputation for unfair trials.

The case has also drawn attention to the increasingly repressive atmosphere in Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the government has cracked down on all forms of dissent, including peaceful activism and online expression.

Human rights groups have condemned the sentencing of Mohammed al-Ghamdi and called for his release. They say the case is a clear violation of his right to freedom of expression.

“This is a shocking and outrageous sentence,” said Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa director. “Mohammed al-Ghamdi is being punished for exercising his right to freedom of expression. This sentence must be immediately overturned.”

The sentencing of Mohammed al-Ghamdi is a reminder of the need for the international community to take action to pressure Saudi Arabia to respect human rights. The United Nations and other human rights bodies should condemn the sentence and call for Mohammed al-Ghamdi’s release.

The case of Mohammed al-Ghamdi is also a reminder of the importance of social media as a tool for dissent. In a country where traditional media is tightly controlled, social media has become an important platform for people to express their views.

However, the Saudi government is increasingly cracking down on social media, and many people have been arrested and imprisoned for their online activity.

The sentencing of Mohammed al-Ghamdi is a chilling reminder of the risks that government critics face in Saudi Arabia. It is also a reminder of the importance of defending freedom of expression, both online and offline.