Saudi Arabia has executed at least 101 foreign nationals in 2024, including 10 Nigerians, marking a sharp increase in capital punishments for non-citizens. This number is almost triple the figures for 2023 and 2022, when Saudi authorities put to death 34 foreigners each year.
This is the largest number of executions of foreigners in one year. Saudi Arabia has never executed 100 foreigners in a year
The European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) has condemned the executions, stating that this year's numbers have already broken a record. "This is the largest number of executions of foreigners in one year. Saudi Arabia has never executed 100 foreigners in a year," said Taha al-Hajji, the group's legal director.
Saudi Arabia has faced criticism over its use of the death penalty, with human rights groups accusing the kingdom of excessive punishments. The oil-rich kingdom executed the third-highest number of prisoners in the world after China and Iran in 2023, according to Amnesty International.
Saudi Arabia is notorious for beheading those convicted of capital crimes, although official statements tend not to mention the method of execution
The kingdom's decision to end a three-year moratorium on the execution of drug offenders in 2022 has contributed to the increase in executions. As of Sunday, executions for drug-related crimes have boosted this year's numbers, with foreigners being disproportionately affected. Diplomats and activists say that foreign defendants usually face a higher barrier to fair trials, including the right to access court documents.
Saudi Arabia is notorious for beheading those convicted of capital crimes, although official statements tend not to mention the method of execution. The high number of executions undercuts statements by Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who claimed that the kingdom had eliminated the death penalty with the exception of murder cases or when an individual posed a threat to many lives.
Human rights advocates have expressed concern over the "execution crisis" in Saudi Arabia, with Jeed Basyouni
Human rights advocates have expressed concern over the "execution crisis" in Saudi Arabia, with Jeed Basyouni, who heads Middle East anti-death penalty advocacy for the NGO Reprieve, stating that persistent drug arrests were "perpetuating the cycle of violence". The overall number of executions was on track to exceed 300 for the year, she noted.
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