Fact Check: "Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser executed for high treason, first since Khashoggi's murder."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, reports emerged confirming that Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed after being imprisoned for seven years. He was accused of high treason and terrorism-related charges, marking a significant event in the context of press freedom in Saudi Arabia. This execution has drawn international condemnation, with organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressing outrage and highlighting that al-Jasser was the first journalist executed under the current Saudi regime led by Mohammed bin Salman (CPJ, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that Turki al-Jasser was executed for high treason is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The CPJ reported that al-Jasser was sentenced to death for charges related to terrorism and treason, which aligns with the Saudi government's stringent stance on dissent and criticism (CPJ). Additionally, The Guardian confirmed the execution and noted that it was a significant event, as it was the first execution of a journalist under the current Saudi leadership (The Guardian).
However, the assertion that this execution is the "first since Khashoggi's murder" requires careful consideration. Jamal Khashoggi, another prominent journalist, was murdered in October 2018, which drew global attention and condemnation. While al-Jasser's execution is indeed significant, it is important to note that Khashoggi's case involved a high-profile assassination rather than a judicial execution. Therefore, while both cases highlight the severe risks faced by journalists in Saudi Arabia, they are not directly comparable in terms of the nature of the incidents (Pravda).
The sources reporting on al-Jasser's execution are generally reliable, with established media organizations and human rights groups providing the information. However, the framing of the claim as the "first execution since Khashoggi's murder" could be misleading without context, as it conflates different types of state violence against journalists.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. While it is true that Turki al-Jasser was executed for high treason, the claim that this is the "first since Khashoggi's murder" lacks nuance. Khashoggi's case involved an extrajudicial killing, while al-Jasser's execution was a judicial process, albeit one that raises serious concerns about human rights and freedom of the press in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the claim oversimplifies the situation and may mislead readers about the nature of state actions against journalists.
Sources
- The Structure of the Plk4 Cryptic Polo Box Reveals Two Tandem …
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- PLK4 - Wikipedia
- Prolonged overexpression of PLK4 leads to formation of centriole ...
- Phase separation of Polo-like kinase 4 by autoactivation and
- A Saudi journalist tweeted against the government
- Saudi Arabia executes journalist Turki al-Jasser on treason ...
- Journalist executed in Saudi Arabia after seven years ...
