Additional Name(s): يوسف المناسف

Gender: Male

Current Location: Ghezel Hesar Prison

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Court of Appeal ruled to uphold death sentence

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: April/6/2017

Date of Sentencing: October/16/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Children’s Rights Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Aid & Abetment Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use Harboring a Fugitive Illegal Assembly Illicit Financing Terrorism Treason & Sedition

Youssef al-Manasif

Extra Bio Info:

Youssef al-Manasif is imprisoned and sentenced to death for his religious identity and religious freedom advocacy.

In April 2017, authorities arrested al-Manasif for participating in protests in al-Qatif against the state's treatment of Shi'a citizens. Prosecutors charged him with numerous crimes, including participating in riotous gatherings that affect the unity and stability of the Kingdom, joining a terrorist cell, financing terrorism, selling narcotic pills to security men, and stirring up sedition, among others. Al-Manasif was 20 years old at the time of his arrest and accused of crimes that he allegedly committed when he was a minor, two of which dated back to when he was 15 and 16 years old.

In October 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced al-Manasif to death. The sentence was overturned in November 2024 after a long series of appeals, but was reimposed by the Saudi Supreme Court in February 2025. In August 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld his death sentence. 

Saudi authorities tortured Al-Manasif, subjected him to solitary confinement, forced him to sign a confession, denied him proper access to legal counsel, and refused visitation from his family for the first five months of his detention. 

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): صالح آل طالب

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August//2018

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Saleh Al Talib

Extra Bio Info:

Saleh Al Talib is imprisoned for his religious expression leadership.

In August 2018, authorities arrested Talib, an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, following a sermon he gave criticizing the government’s General Entertainment Authority for sponsoring concerts and events that oppose religious and cultural norms.

In August 2022, the Specialized Criminal Court of Appeal sentenced Talib to 10 years' imprisonment.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): محمد چگینی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: August/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Mohammad Chegini

Extra Bio Info:

Mohammad Chegini is detained for his religious association.

On August 24, 2022, authorities arrested Mohammad Chegini in Kerman under unclear circumstances.

Publicly Available Information:
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