Saudi Arabia sets record with 347 executions, including two Pakistanis

Saudi Arabia has executed at least 347 people this year, including two Pakistani nationals convicted of drug offences.

According to UK-based campaign group Reprieve, this marks a new annual record for executions in Saudi Arabia, up from 345 in 2024, Caliber.Az reports via BBC.

The organisation stated that it was "the bloodiest year of executions in the kingdom since monitoring began."

The latest prisoners executed were two Pakistani nationals convicted of drug-related offences. This year also saw the execution of a journalist and two youths who were minors at the time of alleged protest-related offences, as well as five women.

According to Reprieve, the majority—around two-thirds—were sentenced for drug-related offences, which the UN considers "incompatible with international norms and standards." More than half were foreign nationals, apparently executed as part of the kingdom’s "war on drugs."

UK-based organisation reports that the majority—around two-thirds—were sentenced for drug-related offences, which the UN considers "incompatible with international norms and standards." More than half were foreign nationals, apparently executed as part of the kingdom’s "war on drugs."

Saudi authorities have yet to respond to the BBC’s request for comment on the increase in executions.

By Jeyhun Aghazada