Executions in Saudi Arabia Reach Record High, Driven Mostly by Drug Cases

Executions in Saudi Arabia Reach Record High, Driven Mostly by Drug Cases
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Saudi Arabia’s executions surged to a record high last year, with 345 people put to death, Amnesty International reported Monday. This marks the highest number recorded by Amnesty in over 30 years of monitoring. In just the first half of 2025, 180 executions have already been carried out, indicating the record may be broken again.

A significant majority of those executed were convicted on non-lethal drug charges. Activist group Reprieve noted that about two-thirds of this year’s executions involved drug-related offenses. Amnesty has also raised concerns over the kingdom’s increasing use of the death penalty for nonviolent drug cases.

Saudi officials have not commented on the surge or the rationale behind applying capital punishment to drug offenses. This contradicts statements made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2022, who claimed the death penalty was limited to homicide cases, citing Quranic law.

Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s top executioners, ranking behind only China and Iran. Many foreign nationals face execution, often lacking proper legal representation or understanding of the legal system. Amnesty documented cases where foreign inmates on death row were denied fair trials.

The rise in executions comes amid Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” economic reforms and a previous moratorium on drug-related executions that lasted under three years before being quietly lifted.

Human rights advocates urge the crown prince to reform the justice system, highlighting the contrast between the kingdom’s reform promises and ongoing executions for drug offenses.