This year, Saudi Arabia has executed at least 132 people, exceeding the numbers from 2021 and 2020 combined. 12 were beheaded in 10 days.
Execution numbers rise in Saudi Arabia
As per a human rights organization, Saudi Arabia executed 12 people in 10 days after a two-year hiatus for drug offenses. The beheadings by sword suggest that the country is going ahead with brutal punishments despite Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman owing of stopping them. In 2018, he stated that his administration was trying to “minimize” capital punishment. He stated that only those guilty of manslaughter or murder were given such sentences.
“His Majesty, the King, doesn’t wake up and just sign whatever he wants to sign. He works by the law, by the book,” he stated. Later in 2020, there were hints of softening in non-violent crimes after the county proposed changing the law and ending the death penalty after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Khashoggi was killed and further dismembered by a Saudi hit squad 2018 inside the Istanbul consulate in 2018.
More on the current capital punishments
The accused received the death sentence following their imprisonment on non-violent drug charges. The defendants include the Saudis, three Pakistanis, two Jordanians, and four Syrians. “With this, the total number of people executed this year rose to at least 132, exceeding those of 2020 and 2021 combined,” reported the AFP.
“Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly touted his vision of progress, committing to reducing executions and ending the death penalty for drug offenses. But as a bloody year of executions draws to a close, the Saudi authorities have begun executing drug offenders again, in large numbers and secret,” stated Maya Foa. Foa is the director of rights at Reprieve.