Saudis sentence teenagers to death despite vow to stop

Saudi Arabia has resumed sentencing teenagers to death for protesting against the regime, despite promising earlier to end the practice. Human rights monitors have recorded seven cases in which the death penalty has been sought, handed down or confirmed on appeal for crimes by minors.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who came to power pledging to rebrand the country’s image, ordered an end to its use on minors two years ago. Three young men whose cases had become notorious and were subject to international appeals, including by British politicians, had their sentences commuted to ten years.

It was later clarified that the change in sentencing would apply only in cases where the death penalty was not mandatory under the kingdom’s interpretation of sharia, or Islamic law…