As of October 23, 2023, Saudi Arabia executed seven individuals in a single day, with five of them sentenced for drug trafficking offenses. This grim milestone has drawn international attention and concern, further highlighting the kingdom’s controversial stance on capital punishment.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) the executed individuals included Yahya Lutfullah, Ali Azib, Ahmed Ali, and Salem Nahari, all Yemeni nationals. They were executed in the southern province of Asir for smuggling hashish into the country. In addition, a Pakistani man was also put to death for drug trafficking, raising the total number of executions for drug-related crimes in Saudi Arabia to 71 this year alone.
The total number of executions in the kingdom for 2023 has now reached 236, according to an AFP tally of official statements. This increase has been attributed to the government’s intensified efforts to combat the growing drug problem in the region, particularly the trafficking of captagon, an addictive amphetamine primarily produced in Syria and Lebanon.
The resurgence in drug-related executions follows the lifting of a moratorium on the death penalty for drug offenses two years ago. Alongside the five individuals executed for drug trafficking, two Saudi nationals were also put to death for murder on the same day.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have consistently criticized Saudi Arabia for its use of the death penalty. The country ranks third globally for the highest number of executions in 2023, following China and Iran. Critics argue that the use of capital punishment is excessive and inconsistent with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to modernize its international image.
Despite the mounting criticism, the Saudi government has defended its use of capital punishment as a necessary measure to maintain public order. Officials assert that sentences are only carried out after all appeals have been exhausted, emphasizing the legal framework surrounding capital offenses in the kingdom.
The escalation in executions and the focus on drug-related crimes come as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to tackle the rampant drug problem affecting its population. The government has implemented numerous raids and arrests over the past year, aiming to curb the influence of illicit substances, particularly captagon.
The execution of seven individuals in a single day serves as a stark reminder of Saudi Arabia’s stringent stance on crime and punishment. While the government maintains that such measures are essential for societal stability, the human rights implications continue to draw scrutiny from international observers. As Saudi Arabia navigates its dual aims of maintaining order and improving its global image, the conversation surrounding the death penalty remains a contentious and complex issue.
