🔗 Share this article Rights Groups Decry Historic Peak in Executions in Saudi Arabia An Egyptian fisherman was among those executed this year. The Kingdom has exceeded its own annual record for the use of capital punishment for a second consecutive year. At least 347 individuals have been executed so far this year, according to a British rights monitor that tracks such cases. This figure is higher than the final count of 345 recorded in 2024, marking what the group calls the "bloodiest year of executions in the kingdom since monitoring began." The latest cases carried out were two citizens of Pakistan sentenced on drug-related offences. Analysis of the Executions Others put to death comprised a reporter and two individuals who were underage at the time of their alleged offences linked to demonstrations. Five of those were female prisoners. However, as stated by the monitoring group, the majority—around two-thirds—were found guilty for non-violent drug-related offences. The United Nations have declared that applying the capital punishment for such crimes is "incompatible with international norms and standards." A majority of those executed were individuals from other countries, ensnared in what appears to be a "war on drugs" within the kingdom. "The authorities are acting with absolute immunity now," said a head of the rights organization. "It's almost making a mockery of the global justice mechanism." The representative further characterized extracted statements through mistreatment as "widespread" within the Saudi judicial process, calling it a "brutal and arbitrary crackdown." Individual Cases Among those put to death this week was a young national of Egypt, detained in 2021. He allegedly claimed he was forced into smuggling drugs. Family members of men on awaiting execution for drug charges have described the "fear" they now live in. "The single occasion of the week that I rest is on those two days because there are no death sentences carried out on those days," an individual recounted. Other prisoners have according to accounts seen individuals they lived alongside for years being "led in protest to their death." Wider Backdrop The effective leader of Saudi Arabia, who assumed power in 2017, has presided over major shifts in policy, relaxing some rules while concurrently cracking down on dissent. Although the country has opened up in a bid to diversify its economy, its human rights record remains "poor" according to international observers. "There's been no cost for proceeding with these executions," noted a analyst focusing on the region. "International gatherings continue with little backlash." Claims suggest families of the condemned are typically left in the dark, not given the remains, and left unaware of the location of graves. International Response A UN special rapporteur has urged an immediate moratorium on executions in Saudi Arabia, with the aim of eventual elimination. The rapporteur also stressed the need for "strict adherence with international safeguards," including legal assistance and embassy contact for detainees from abroad. Particular executions have drawn focused criticism, including those of individuals who were minors at the time of their reported offences and a reporter executed on national security allegations. "Executions against journalists is a deeply concerning assault on press freedom," declared a senior UN cultural official. In a formal letter to UN concerns, Saudi authorities have stated that the country "protects and upholds human rights" and that its laws "outlaw and sanction torture." The letter continued that the death penalty is imposed only for the "heinous violations" and after completing all court appeals.
An Egyptian fisherman was among those executed this year. The Kingdom has exceeded its own annual record for the use of capital punishment for a second consecutive year. At least 347 individuals have been executed so far this year, according to a British rights monitor that tracks such cases. This figure is higher than the final count of 345 recorded in 2024, marking what the group calls the "bloodiest year of executions in the kingdom since monitoring began." The latest cases carried out were two citizens of Pakistan sentenced on drug-related offences. Analysis of the Executions Others put to death comprised a reporter and two individuals who were underage at the time of their alleged offences linked to demonstrations. Five of those were female prisoners. However, as stated by the monitoring group, the majority—around two-thirds—were found guilty for non-violent drug-related offences. The United Nations have declared that applying the capital punishment for such crimes is "incompatible with international norms and standards." A majority of those executed were individuals from other countries, ensnared in what appears to be a "war on drugs" within the kingdom. "The authorities are acting with absolute immunity now," said a head of the rights organization. "It's almost making a mockery of the global justice mechanism." The representative further characterized extracted statements through mistreatment as "widespread" within the Saudi judicial process, calling it a "brutal and arbitrary crackdown." Individual Cases Among those put to death this week was a young national of Egypt, detained in 2021. He allegedly claimed he was forced into smuggling drugs. Family members of men on awaiting execution for drug charges have described the "fear" they now live in. "The single occasion of the week that I rest is on those two days because there are no death sentences carried out on those days," an individual recounted. Other prisoners have according to accounts seen individuals they lived alongside for years being "led in protest to their death." Wider Backdrop The effective leader of Saudi Arabia, who assumed power in 2017, has presided over major shifts in policy, relaxing some rules while concurrently cracking down on dissent. Although the country has opened up in a bid to diversify its economy, its human rights record remains "poor" according to international observers. "There's been no cost for proceeding with these executions," noted a analyst focusing on the region. "International gatherings continue with little backlash." Claims suggest families of the condemned are typically left in the dark, not given the remains, and left unaware of the location of graves. International Response A UN special rapporteur has urged an immediate moratorium on executions in Saudi Arabia, with the aim of eventual elimination. The rapporteur also stressed the need for "strict adherence with international safeguards," including legal assistance and embassy contact for detainees from abroad. Particular executions have drawn focused criticism, including those of individuals who were minors at the time of their reported offences and a reporter executed on national security allegations. "Executions against journalists is a deeply concerning assault on press freedom," declared a senior UN cultural official. In a formal letter to UN concerns, Saudi authorities have stated that the country "protects and upholds human rights" and that its laws "outlaw and sanction torture." The letter continued that the death penalty is imposed only for the "heinous violations" and after completing all court appeals.