Saudi Arabia executes 81 people in a day

By Dayo Badmus,

Saudi Arabia has broken its own record by executing 81 men in 24 hours.

The executed included seven Yemenis and one Syrian national. The charges cut across “allegiance to foreign terrorist organisations” and holding “deviant beliefs”, among others.

Saudi Press Agency described it as the largest known mass execution carried out in the kingdom in its modern history.

The kingdom had earlier made a record 67 executions in 2021, a massive rise from the 27 carried out in 2020.

“These individuals … were convicted of various crimes including murdering innocent men, women and children,” SPA said on Saturday, citing a statement from the interior ministry.

“Crimes committed by these individuals also include pledging allegiance to foreign terrorist organisations, such as ISIS [ISIL], al-Qaeda and the Houthis,” it added.

Some travelled to conflict zones to join “terrorist organisations”, according to the SPA.

“The accused were provided with the right to an attorney and were guaranteed their full rights under Saudi law during the judicial process,” it said.

Of the 81 executions, 37 Saudi nationals were found guilty in a single case for attempting to assassinate security officers and targeting police stations and convoys, according to the report.

Saudi’s execution is usually carried out by beheading with a sword but may occasionally be performed by shooting.