Sehar Timings Mar 29 - Ramazan 18

Lahore
LHR
04:36 AM
Karachi
KHI
05:12 AM
Islamabad
ISB
04:38 AM
Peshawar
PWR
04:42 AM
Quetta
QTA
05:07 AM

News

Saudi announces first executions for drug crimes since 2020

November 11, 2022 01:17 AM


Saudi Arabia on Thursday said it had executed two Pakistani nationals for smuggling heroin, the first time the death penalty had been administered for drug crimes in nearly three years, according to an AFP tally.

The executions drew a rebuke from Amnesty International, which said they flew in the face of a moratorium announced in January 2021 on the death penalty for drug offences.

The executions were carried out in the Riyadh region, where the capital is located, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

The move demonstrated "the keenness of the government... to combat all kinds of drugs because of the grave harm they cause to the individual and society," it said.

The report did not provide details about the mode of executions, but the wealthy Gulf kingdom has often administered death sentences by beheading.

Saudi Arabia sparked international outcry in March when it executed 81 people in a single day for terrorism-related offences.

So far 128 executions have been carried out this year, nearly double last year's total of 69, according to AFP's tally. There were 27 executions in 2020 and 187 in 2019.

"This striking escalation in the country's use of the death penalty this year reveals the true face the Saudi authorities are hiding behind the so-called progressive reforms agenda they are presenting to the world," said Diana Semaan, Amnesty's acting deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Prior to the executions announced on Thursday, there had been no executions for drug-related crimes since January 2020, the AFP tally showed.

In January 2021, the kingdom's human rights commission announced a moratorium on administering the death penalty for such crimes.

The latest executions amount to "trampling on the official moratorium", Semaan said.

"The lives of individuals on death row for drug-related crimes and other crimes are at risk. Regardless of the crimes committed, no one should suffer this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment," she said.



Most Read

  1. Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh
  2. Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation
  3. Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing
  4. Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba
  5. Sahiba meets her father for the first time Sahiba meets her father for the first time
  6. Four terrorists killed as attack on Turbat Naval Base thwarted Four terrorists killed as attack on Turbat Naval Base thwarted

Opinion

  1. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  2. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  4. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer

  6. Literate the Religious Illiterate
    Literate the Religious Illiterate

    By Dr Asif Channer