Saudi Arabia on Tuesday executed seven people for ‘terrorist’ crimes. This is the highest number in a single day since 81 people were executed in March 2022. AFP reported this information with reference to the state media.
According to the report, the official Saudi Press Agency quoted the Gulf country’s interior ministry as saying that the seven were sentenced for “creating and financing terrorist organizations and entities”. Their nationalities have not been disclosed, but their names and surnames suggest they are Saudi nationals. Besides, the details of the charges against them have not been given.
The country has executed 29 people so far this year, after planning to execute 170 in 2023, according to AFP calculations based on government announcements. Saudi Arabia is one of the countries with the highest death penalty in the world. The country, notorious for its beheadings, was condemned around the world for carrying out 81 executions in a single day about two years ago.
Saudi Arabia executed more people in 2022 than any other country except China and Iran, Amnesty International said.
According to AFP data, those executed last year included 33 people accused of terrorism-related offenses and two soldiers convicted of treason. December saw 38 executions, the highest in a single month in 2023.