Saudi Arabia has executed over 100 foreign nationals this year, including 21 Pakistanis, according to recent reports.
The latest execution, reported by the Saudi Press Agency, involved a Yemeni national convicted of drug smuggling in the Najran region. This brings the total number of executions this year to 101, a sharp increase compared to previous years, which saw 34 foreign nationals executed annually in both 2022 and 2023.
The European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) has described this as an unprecedented surge in executions of foreign nationals. Rights groups have criticized Saudi Arabia’s use of the death penalty, deeming it excessive, especially as the kingdom seeks to bolster its global image and attract tourism and investment.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in executions, behind China and Iran. So far this year, a total of 274 executions have been reported, many of them linked to drug-related offenses.
Foreign defendants often face significant obstacles in securing fair trials, raising concerns about the transparency and equity of legal proceedings in Saudi Arabia. ESOHR has highlighted that many of these individuals are victims of broader drug trafficking networks, making their legal cases complex from arrest to execution.
This surge in executions has drawn international criticism, particularly as Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to project a modernized image and engage in strategic partnerships on the global stage.
