Fact Check: "Al-Jasser's execution marks first high-profile journalist killing since Khashoggi's murder."
What We Know
Turki Al-Jasser, a prominent Saudi journalist, was executed on June 17, 2025, after being convicted on charges of terrorism and treason. His execution was confirmed by the Saudi Press Agency, which stated that the death penalty was upheld by the kingdom’s highest court (AP News). Activist groups have claimed that the charges against him were fabricated, asserting that his real "crime" was his critical journalism, particularly through a social media account that accused Saudi royals of corruption (Guardian).
Al-Jasser's execution is significant as it is described as the first high-profile killing of a journalist by the Saudi state since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and vocal critic of the Saudi government, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, an act that has been widely condemned and attributed to orders from the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (Middle East Eye).
Analysis
The claim that Al-Jasser's execution marks the first high-profile journalist killing since Khashoggi's murder is supported by multiple credible sources. The AP and Guardian both explicitly state that Al-Jasser's execution is the first such high-profile case since Khashoggi's death. This aligns with the broader context of Saudi Arabia's ongoing crackdown on dissent and the targeting of journalists, which has been a point of concern for human rights organizations.
The reliability of these sources is generally high. The AP is a well-established news agency known for its factual reporting, while the Guardian has a strong reputation for investigative journalism, particularly concerning human rights issues. Both outlets have provided detailed accounts of Al-Jasser's background, the circumstances surrounding his arrest, and the implications of his execution.
Furthermore, the context provided by the Committee to Protect Journalists and other human rights advocates highlights a pattern of repression against journalists in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the significance of Al-Jasser's execution in the ongoing narrative of state-sponsored violence against dissenters (Middle East Eye).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "Al-Jasser's execution marks the first high-profile journalist killing since Khashoggi's murder" is accurate. Multiple reputable sources confirm that Al-Jasser's execution is indeed the first such incident of its kind since the high-profile killing of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. This execution underscores the continued risks faced by journalists in Saudi Arabia and reflects a broader trend of state repression against free expression.
