- Execution in Saudi Arabia
On August 3, 2025, Saudi Arabia executed eight individuals in Najran: four Somalis, three Ethiopians (all convicted of smuggling hashish), and one Saudi man (for murdering his mother)..
Broader execution trend
Saudi Arabia has seen a sharp rise in executions in 2025, reaching 230 people to date and on track to exceed its 2024 record of 338 execution
154 individuals were reportedly executed for drug-related crimes in 2025 by mid-June, with 69 foreign nationals among them (Somalia had 19, Ethiopia 7) Legal basis
Saudi Arabia applies the death penalty under Sharia law, including for non-lethal drug-trafficking offenses (ta’zīr discretionary punishments), which is widely condemned under international law
Human rights and procedural concerns
Reports indicate systemic violations during arrest, trial, and sentencing: forced confessions, lack of legal counsel, inadequate consular aid, language barriers, and limited access to appeals
Family members are often not informed of execution dates, denied farewells, and bodies are not returned or burial sites disclosed
Exploitation issues
Many foreign nationals, including Somalis and Ethiopians, were reportedly lured or coerced into smuggling-often with false promises and minimal compensation, then left vulnerable to harsh sentencing