Saudi Arabia\u2019s official press agency has announced that 37 people were killed today, 23 April 2019, in a mass execution. Most, if not all, were convicted in the Specialised Criminal Court (SCC), the Kingdom\u2019s secretive and widely condemned anti-terrorism tribunal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At least three of those executed were minors at the time of their alleged offences. This is a flagrant violation of international law, which prohibits sentencing juveniles to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abdulkarim al-Hawaj<\/strong> was charged with participating in demonstrations, incitement via social media and preparing banners with anti-state slogans. He was beaten, tortured with electricity and chained with his hands above his head until he \u2018confessed\u2019 to terrorism offences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mujtaba al-Sweikat<\/strong> was arrested at King Fahd International Airport, on his way to begin his studies at Western Michigan University. He was severely beaten all over his body, including the soles of his feet, and convicted on the basis of a confession extracted through torture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n