Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year so far – the highest number ever, according to a human rights group. The latest execution, on Saturday in the southwestern region of Najran,

The 101 foreigners executed so far included nationals from Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt, and other countries.

The latest was of a Yemeni national convicted of smuggling drugs, after a three-year moratorium on executing drug offenders ended in 2022.

This year's executions include 21 from Pakistan, 20 from Yemen, and 14 from Syria, while three each from Sudan, India and Afghanistan, and one each from Sri Lanka, Eritrea and the Philippines

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Over 100 foreign nationals were executed by Saudi Arabia in 2024, as reported by Middle East Eye. On Saturday, the official Saudi Press Agency reported the execution of a Yemeni national who was convicted of smuggling drugs into the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has long faced criticism for its use of the death penalty, which human rights organisations have condemned as disproportionate and out of step with the country’s efforts to soften its strict image and attract international tourists and investors.

The latest execution took place on Saturday in Najran, where a Yemeni national was executed for drug smuggling. This brought the total number of foreign nationals executed this year to 101.

According to Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia executed the third-highest number of prisoners across the world after China and Iran in 2023.

Number nearly triples previous years, sparking criticism over fairness and an 'unprecedented execution crisis'

Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year, according to an AFP tally indicating a sharp increase which one rights group said was unprecedented.