A disturbing new report has laid bare the brutal reality inside a so-called 'death wing' at a Saudi Arabian prison, where inmates are given no warning before they are marched off to be beheaded.
The Chilling New Protocol at Tabuk Prison
Tabuk prison, located in the north of Saudi Arabia, has gained notoriety for its rampant use of the death penalty, alongside allegations of torture and forced confessions extracted by brutal guards. According to The Guardian, a new, chillingly casual method of execution has been implemented. An execution squad of twenty guards enters the 'Death Wing', approaches an inmate, whispers something in their ear, and escorts them out to their death.
This marks a stark departure from previous practice. Guards would once warn prisoners of their impending execution, granting them a final opportunity to shower and contact their loved ones. Now, families report they are only informed after the execution has taken place.
A Surge in Executions Under MBS
Saudi Arabia ranks among the world's worst offenders for executions, trailing only China and Iran. Under the leadership of Mohammed bin Salman, the frequency of executions has increased. While beheading is believed to be the primary method, families are often left in agonising uncertainty as the bodies of their loved ones are not returned; they receive only a death certificate.
The human rights charity Reprieve has provided staggering figures, revealing that 346 people were executed between January 1 and November 3 this year alone. The vast majority of these individuals were charged with non-lethal drug offences.
Personal Tragedies and a Journalist's Fate
The report highlights the case of Ahmed Younes Al-Qayed, who was working at a Saudi hotel when arrested on drug trafficking charges in 2016. His family held hope after a 2021 moratorium on executions, but this was lifted the following year, leading to a horrifying surge. Al-Qayed was executed last year after guards calmly approached him and two other men. His family still does not have his body and does not know where he is buried. His cousin Hazem stated, 'We still live on edge.'
In a high-profile case that echoes the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi journalist Turki Al-Jasser was executed in June. Arrested in 2018, Al-Jasser was convicted on terrorism and treason charges for tweeting against the government. It is believed he was tortured during his seven-year imprisonment. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the killing, stating it demonstrates the continued persecution of journalists in the kingdom.
