According to a report by Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia executed 330 people this year, the highest number in decades. Among those executed were people convicted of non-lethal terrorism and drug smuggling, despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s claim in 2022 that the death penalty would be restricted to murder cases under his vision for a reformed kingdom.
The Kingdom, under the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, is investing billions to reshape its image from one known for strict religious laws and human rights violations to a global hub for tourism and entertainment. This increase in executions contrasts with last year’s total of 172 and 196 in 2022, marking a significant rise. The data, compiled by Reprieve, a human rights group, and verified by Reuters, shows that 2024’s execution toll is the highest recorded to date.
“This reform is built on a house of cards,” said Jeed Basyouni, a representative from Reprieve, commenting on the high number of executions despite claims of reform.
Saudi Arabia has consistently denied accusations of human rights violations, asserting that its actions are necessary for safeguarding national security. Of the 330 executed this year, over 150 were for non-lethal crimes, a move that rights groups argue violates international legal standards. Many of these executions were linked to alleged drug trafficking, particularly related to the influx of captagon—an amphetamine-like substance—from Syria, as well as charges of non-lethal terrorism, which, according to critics, are often used against individuals involved in anti-government protests.
The executions also included over 100 foreign nationals from various regions, including the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The Saudi government’s communications office did not respond to Reuters’ inquiries regarding the statistics.
Since Mohammed bin Salman assumed power in 2017 following a palace coup, he has faced international criticism, especially after the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. While Saudi Arabia maintains that the killing was carried out by a rogue group, MbS has acknowledged responsibility for the incident, given that it occurred during his leadership. Western governments distanced themselves from the Kingdom in the aftermath, with US President Joe Biden pledging to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah” during his 2020 campaign. However, in 2022, Biden visited the Kingdom and met with MbS, signaling a shift in relations.
Human rights organizations have also raised concerns about minors being sentenced to death and the use of torture to obtain confessions.
Historically, Saudi Arabia carried out public executions by beheading in public squares, but these areas are now lined with cafes and restaurants, with little evidence of their bloody past. “Repression is escalating, but it’s hidden from view,” said Dana Ahmed, MENA researcher at Amnesty International.
Family members of those on death row, who requested anonymity due to security risks, have reported challenges navigating the Saudi legal system. One relative described a foreign national who was arrested for drug charges while fishing near the coast, and who had no access to legal representation in the Kingdom. Another relative said they had been attending criminal court sessions for over three years, yet had not seen any evidence against their loved one. These accounts could not be independently verified by Reuters.
In a 2022 interview with The Atlantic, Mohammed bin Salman stated that Saudi Arabia had effectively eliminated the death penalty, except for cases involving murder, which he claimed was beyond his power to change due to its religious basis in the Quran.
