RIYADH, Nov 18 (Alliance News): Saudi Arabia has executed over 100 foreign nationals, including 21 Pakistanis, in 2024, according to official figures and media reports.
The executions were carried out for various crimes, including drug smuggling and other offenses.
The executions included nationals from Pakistan, Yemen, the Philippines, Nigeria, Syria, and other countries. Among those executed, 21 were from Pakistan, 20 from Yemen, 14 from Syria, and 10 from Nigeria.
Others included nationals from Egypt, Jordan, Ethiopia, Sudan, India, Afghanistan, and several other countries.
In a recent case, a Yemeni citizen was hanged in the southwestern region of Najran for drug smuggling, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
According to AFP, the number of foreign executions in Saudi Arabia this year has significantly increased compared to previous years. In 2022 and 2023, the kingdom executed 34 foreigners each year. This year’s figure of 101 executions marks nearly a threefold increase.
Taha al-Hajji from the European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights expressed alarm over the rising number of executions, particularly among foreign nationals.
He emphasized that the significant spike in executions is concerning and warrants further scrutiny.
Saudi Arabia has faced global criticism for its use of the death penalty. Human rights organizations continue to call for transparency and reforms in the kingdom’s justice system.
