Saudi Arabia executes 37 citizens convicted of ‘terrorism’
- One man was executed then crucified – a punishment reserved for particularly serious crimes
Saudi Arabia said it executed 37 of its citizens on Tuesday after they were convicted of “terrorism”. The kingdom is one of the world’s top executioners.
The sentences were carried out in Riyadh, the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, central Qassim province and Eastern Province, home to the country’s Shiite minority.
The convicts – all men – were executed “for adopting terrorist and extremist thinking and for forming terrorist cells to corrupt and destabilise security”, a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency said.
It said one person was crucified after his execution, a punishment reserved for particularly serious crimes. Executions in the ultraconservative kingdom are usually carried out by beheading.
At least 100 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the year, according to a count based on official data released by SPA.