Saudi Man Faces Execution for Teen Protest Charges

Youssef al-Manasif, currently 30 years old, faces execution in Saudi Arabia for alleged protest offenses committed when he was between 15 and 17 years old[1][18]. This sentence persists despite a 2020 Saudi royal decree intended to end capital punishment for crimes committed by individuals under 18[2][6]. His case, tried by a court frequently criticized for human rights abuses, falls under a specific loophole in the kingdom's reforms[3][11][17].

The imminent execution of al-Manasif could set a precedent for other juvenile offenders in Saudi Arabia and appears to contradict the country's public commitments to human rights. His case also contributes to an alarming escalation in the kingdom's execution rate, prompting concerns from international organizations about the fairness of judicial processes for those accused of protest-related crimes[5][16].

What the records show

Al-Manasif was arrested on April 6, 2017, at the age of 20, in al-Qatif, Saudi Arabia[18][19]. He faced various charges, including participation in demonstrations and funerals, affiliation with a terrorist cell, financing terrorism, shooting at security personnel, and selling narcotic pills[18][19][20]. During his initial detention, al-Manasif was subjected to torture and held in solitary confinement for five months[18][19]. His family was not allowed to visit him until he signed a confession[18][19]. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom notes that al-Manasif informed the judge presiding over his case that his confession was coerced[9][14]. His confession admitted to participating in protests, shouting anti-government slogans, and destabilizing internal security[18].

His trial took place before the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC), a tribunal that human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, describe as a "political tool to muzzle critical voices"[11][12][15]. The SCC, established in 2008 for terrorism cases, has been criticized for using vague charges against political prisoners and human rights activists[11][13]. Its judicial process often faces criticism for human rights abuses, including denial of legal representation, incommunicado detention, and convictions based on confessions extracted under duress[17]. Al-Manasif did not meet with his state-appointed lawyer until 2022, five years after his arrest[18].

The timeline

Al-Manasif allegedly committed the offenses between 2011 and 2014, when he was between 15 and 17 years old[1][10][18][19]. He was arrested in April 2017[18][19]. On October 16, 2022, the SCC sentenced al-Manasif to death[8][19]. This sentence was overturned in November 2024 following a series of appeals[19]. However, the Saudi Supreme Court reimposed the death penalty in February 2025[19]. The Court of Appeal then upheld his death sentence in August 2025[19]. As of October 2026, his execution is considered imminent[1][10][18].

What changed and for whom

A 2020 Saudi royal decree announced an end to the death penalty for crimes committed by individuals under the age of 18[2][6]. However, this decree explicitly excludes crimes prosecuted under the kingdom's counter-terrorism law[3]. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International note that Saudi authorities have misused the counter-terror law, which contains overly broad definitions of "terrorism" and "terrorist crimes," to criminalize peaceful expression[4]. This loophole means that individuals like al-Manasif, whose alleged childhood offenses are framed as terrorism, remain at risk of execution despite the reform[3][5].

What the subject has said publicly

Youssef al-Manasif reported to the judge presiding over his case that his confession was coerced[9][14][18]. He states he only signed the confession after being tortured and held in solitary confinement, and after his family was denied visitation rights[18][19].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm an official statement or public position from Saudi Arabian authorities regarding Youssef al-Manasif's case or the allegations made against their legal process. We also could not confirm a direct statement or public response from Youssef al-Manasif beyond his reported claim to the judge that his confession was coerced, nor any statements from his legal representatives. We could not confirm the specific dates or details of the alleged protest activities beyond the general timeframe and nature of the events.