Saudi Arabia carried out at least 338 executions in 2024, a sharp increase from the 170 recorded in 2023, according to an AFP tally.
This marks the highest number of executions in decades, surpassing previous records documented by Amnesty International.
The Saudi interior ministry confirmed the execution of six Iranians on Wednesday for drug trafficking. The individuals were found guilty of smuggling hashish into the kingdom and were executed in Dammam.
In response, Iran summoned the Saudi ambassador to lodge a “strong protest,” calling the executions an “unacceptable” violation of international law.
Drug-related cases accounted for at least 117 of the executions last year, following Saudi Arabia’s decision to lift its moratorium on the death penalty for drug offences two years ago.
Foreign nationals made up a significant portion of those executed, with 129 individuals from various countries. This includes 25 Yemenis, 24 Pakistanis, 17 Egyptians, 16 Syrians, 14 Nigerians, 13 Jordanians, and seven Ethiopians.
The rise in executions has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations. In September, more than 30 Arab and international rights groups condemned the increase, particularly for drug-related charges.
Amnesty International, which tracks executions globally, had previously identified Saudi Arabia as one of the top three executing nations, alongside China and Iran.
Saudi authorities maintain that the death penalty is essential for maintaining public order and is only applied after all appeals have been exhausted.
The kingdom has faced international backlash in the past for mass executions. In March 2022, it executed 81 individuals in a single day for “terrorist crimes,” a move that sparked global outrage.
The recent executions come amidst fragile Saudi-Iran relations. Diplomatic ties were severed in 2016 after protests in Iran over the execution of a Shiite cleric. However, relations were restored in 2023 following a deal brokered by China.
Despite the criticism, Saudi Arabia continues to enforce strict penalties as part of its efforts to combat drug trafficking and other crimes. Human rights groups have called for greater scrutiny and reforms in the kingdom’s judicial system.
