Ahmed Younes Al-Qayed’s recent execution shines a light on this horrific practice. Moreover, executions in Saudi Arabia, particularly of foreign nationals, have risen dramatically. Nadi al-Qayed, a 32-year-old Egyptian, was arrested in November 2016 while he was deployed to a luxury hotel. His drug trafficking prosecution was highly publicized. His case strikes a very personal chord with his family and underscores deeply troubling practices within the justice system in the Kingdom as a whole.
Al-Qayed’s family was given this sobering news just days before the planned execution, which was set for December 3rd. They learned from a court-appointed attorney that his sentence was going to be commuted to life without parole. This announcement came just days after Saudi Arabia decided to unilaterally impose a moratorium on executions. This unexpected twist of fate came as a shock to his family, who had been praying for a miracle.
In December, Al-Qayed joined 33 other Egyptians in the infamous Tabuk prison “death wing.” This facility has gained notoriety for its harsh conditions and record number of executions. In a desperate plea for help, Al-Qayed sent a WhatsApp message to his family and lawyer stating, “Do something … not for me. I’ll be executed on Tuesday. Do it for the other 32 Egyptians. They’re going to execute us all.”
Al-Qayed had a long history of psychiatric treatment in Egypt, leading some to believe that his mental state could have worsened while in custody. His mother fought tooth and nail to ensure her son received the highest level of legal representation available. She spent $11,000 hiring a private attorney. Sadly, this defense attorney did not present key evidence that may have dramatically changed the trajectory of his case.
Al-Qayed was hanged together with two other Egyptians. This annual occasion draws attention to a “horrifying” increase in executions in the Kingdom. Statements from the Coalition against Death Penalty show that at least 264 foreign nationals have been executed for drug-related offenses since early 2024. This shocking information was first revealed by the UK-based charity Reprieve. Jeed Basyouni from Reprieve stated, “They’re poor, they’re marginalised. No one listens to them.” This remark highlights the precarious position held by foreign detainees in Saudi Arabia’s court system.
Families such as Al-Qayed’s are subjected to deep emotional distress. Alongside them, loved ones of the incarcerated struggle to keep their spirits up and their connections intact. A relative of another prisoner noted, “When one of us hears from a son, brother or husband, she posts in the group to let us know they’re still alive.” This is emblematic of the balancing act these families must perform as they deal with the unknown.
In a further deeply shocking turn of events, no body of Al-Qayed was returned to his family following his execution. This has particularly left them with no sense of closure as they still don’t know where he was buried. The troubling secrecy around Saudi Arabia’s executions suggests even more troubling human rights practices.
Al-Qayed’s case reflects the despair and concern experienced by all those living behind bars who await execution. One prisoner reportedly expressed, “Save the money for my sisters. If it’s my fate to die, I will die.” Such sentiments speak to the defeat and despair that characterize life for those still ensnared by the machine.