China pips Saudi, Iran and Egypt to become world’s top executioner
1 year, 10 months ago

China pips Saudi, Iran and Egypt to become world’s top executioner

Firstpost  

China has emerged as the top executioner of people in the entire world with thousands of death sentences issued in 2022 alone, Amnesty international has revealed. According to the report, China is followed by Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt with 576, 196 and 24 executions, respectively. While the year-on-year number of executions in China, Iran and Saudi Arabia increased massively, only Egypt saw a decrease significant decrease compared to the previous year, which saw 83 executions. Saudi Arabia witnessed a threefold increase in executions compared to the previous year, marking the highest number recorded by Amnesty in the past three decades. The secretary general of Amnesty International expressed concern over the situation, stating, “Countries in the Middle East and North Africa region violated international law as they escalated executions in 2022, demonstrating a callous disregard for human life.” “The region witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of lives lost, with Saudi Arabia executing a staggering 81 people in one day.

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History of this topic

Saudi executions rose sharply in 2024
3 months ago

Saudi executions rose sharply in 2024

CNN  

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters — Saudi Arabia executed 330 people this year, the highest number in decades, despite de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 assertion that the death penalty had been eliminated except for murder cases under his vision for a new open kingdom. Saudi Arabia denies accusations of human rights abuses and says its actions are aimed at …

Saudi Arabia executed 330 people in 2024 - its highest number for decades - despite Mohammed bin Salman's vow to drastically reduce executions
3 months ago

Saudi Arabia executed 330 people in 2024 - its highest number for decades - despite Mohammed bin Salman's vow to drastically reduce executions

Daily Mail  

Saudi Arabia executed 330 people this year, the highest number in decades, despite de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman's 2022 assertion that the death penalty had been eliminated except for murder cases under his vision for a new open kingdom. Saudi Arabia executed 330 people this year, the highest number in decades Mohammed bin Salman told the Atlantic in a …

Executions in Saudi Arabia hit their highest-ever level with more than 300 in 2024 as number of prisoners killed surges at 'rocket speed' under MBS
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Executions in Saudi Arabia hit their highest-ever level with more than 300 in 2024 as number of prisoners killed surges at 'rocket speed' under MBS

Daily Mail  

Saudi Arabia has put over 300 people to death in 2024, according to an AFP tally, after four executions announced on Tuesday brought the kingdom's total to a level far outstripping the highest known annual figures. Human rights activists had previously warned Saudi Arabia could exceed 300 executions this year, with one execution being recorded almost every day. Saudi Crown …

Saudi Arabia executes over 100 foreigners this year so far: Report
4 months, 1 week ago

Saudi Arabia executes over 100 foreigners this year so far: Report

Hindustan Times  

Saudi Arabia executed more than 100 foreign nationals this year, AFP reported. Over 100 foreigners have been killed by Saudi Arabia this year, marking an unprecedented increase in the number of executions. Saudi Arabia has never executed 100 foreigners in a year," said Taha al-Hajji, Berlin-based European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights legal director, told AFP. 274 executions in Saudi Arabia …

Saudi Arabia executes over 100 foreigners in 2024, 21 from Pakistan
4 months, 1 week ago

Saudi Arabia executes over 100 foreigners in 2024, 21 from Pakistan

Firstpost  

Saudi Arabia has faced persistent criticism over its use of the death penalty, which human rights groups have condemned as excessive and out of step with efforts to soften its forbidding image and welcome international tourists and investors. Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year, according to an AFP tally indicating a sharp increase which one rights …

Saudi executions hit record number under ‘reformist prince’
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Saudi executions hit record number under ‘reformist prince’

The Telegraph  

Saudi Arabia has reached a record high for executions despite pledges to cut down the death penalty. The executions have been carried out under reformist Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has overseen at least 1,447 executions carried out since he was made Crown Prince to his elderly father, Salman, in 2015. Crack down on dissidents Human Rights group Reprieve’s …

UN rights office decries ‘alarmingly high’ number of executions in Iran: 29 over two days this week
7 months, 2 weeks ago

UN rights office decries ‘alarmingly high’ number of executions in Iran: 29 over two days this week

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The U.N. human rights office is expressing concerns about reports that Iran has executed 29 people over two days this week, with the rights chief decrying “an alarmingly high number” of executions in such a short period of time. “Imposing the death penalty for offenses not involving intentional killing is incompatible with international human rights norms and standards,” …

United States and Iran help China push global executions to 10-year high
10 months ago

United States and Iran help China push global executions to 10-year high

Raw Story  

The number of executions worldwide hit a nearly 10-year high in 2023 thanks to a surge in state killings by Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, and the United States. A new global report published by Amnesty International documents that the death penalty was imposed on 1,153 people last year, though the total is believed to be significantly higher due to the …

Executions across the world reach highest number since 2015
10 months ago

Executions across the world reach highest number since 2015

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of executions recorded …

Executions worldwide jumped last year to the highest number since 2015, Amnesty report says
10 months ago

Executions worldwide jumped last year to the highest number since 2015, Amnesty report says

Associated Press  

LONDON — The number of executions recorded worldwide last year jumped to the highest level since 2015, with a sharp rise in Iran and across the Middle East, Amnesty International said in a report released Wednesday. The group said the spike in recorded executions was primarily driven by Iran, where authorities executed at least 853 people last year, compared to …

Iran executes 2022 protester for murder
1 year, 2 months ago

Iran executes 2022 protester for murder

Al Jazeera  

Human rights advocates criticise Mohammad Ghobadlou’s conviction, saying he did not get a fair trial. “After being upheld by the Supreme Court, the death penalty against defendant Mohammad Ghobadlou has been implemented early this morning,” Mizan reported. ‘Unfair sham trials’ However, human rights group Amnesty International said the 22-year-old’s right to a fair trial was violated, and his bipolar condition …

Iran says it executes four people accused of links to Israel’s Mossad
1 year, 3 months ago

Iran says it executes four people accused of links to Israel’s Mossad

Al Jazeera  

Three men and one woman accused of being ‘saboteurs’ were hanged for their ‘collaboration with the Zionist regime’. Iran has executed three men and one woman who were convicted for their alleged links to Israel’s Mossad spy agency, according to media affiliated with the judiciary. “Four members of a sabotage group related to the Zionist regime … were hanged this …

Executions in Iran are up 30%, a new United Nations report says
1 year, 4 months ago

Executions in Iran are up 30%, a new United Nations report says

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — Iran is carrying out executions “at an alarming rate,” putting to death at least 419 people in the first seven months of the year, the United Nations chief said in a new report. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the report to the U.N. General Assembly on the human rights situation in Iran that seven men were executed …

Saudi man receives death penalty for posts online, latest case in wide-ranging crackdown on dissent
1 year, 6 months ago

Saudi man receives death penalty for posts online, latest case in wide-ranging crackdown on dissent

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A Saudi court has sentenced a man to death over his posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, and his activity on YouTube, the latest in a widening crackdown on dissent in the kingdom that has drawn international criticism. “Al-Ghamdi’s death sentence over tweets is extremely horrific but stands in line with the Saudi authorities’ …

Saudi Arabia says it executes American citizen convicted of killing his father
1 year, 7 months ago

Saudi Arabia says it executes American citizen convicted of killing his father

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia on Wednesday executed an American citizen who had been convicted of killing his father. The Interior Ministry identified the executed man as Bishoy Sharif Naji Naseef and said he beat and then strangled his Egyptian father to death. Vedant Patel, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said that American diplomats visited Naseef …

Iran executions in May highest since 2015: rights group
1 year, 9 months ago

Iran executions in May highest since 2015: rights group

The Hindu  

Iran has executed over 300 people this year, with the rate in May during the current surge in hangings the highest monthly figure in the country since 2015, a rights group said on Thursday. At least 142 people were executed in May, the highest monthly figure since 2015, meaning an average of over four people were hanged every day last …

Saudi Arabia executes two Bahrainis accused of ‘terrorism’
1 year, 10 months ago

Saudi Arabia executes two Bahrainis accused of ‘terrorism’

Al Jazeera  

The government did not specify the groups the men were associated with, but said they had been planning to launch attacks. Saudi Arabia has put to death two Bahrainis accused of plotting “terrorist” operations, the Saudi Ministry of Interior said on Monday, raising the number of similar executions to nine this month. Since May 2, Saudi Arabia, which has one …

Worldwide executions increased by 53% in 2022: Amnesty report
1 year, 10 months ago

Worldwide executions increased by 53% in 2022: Amnesty report

Hindustan Times  

Executions worldwide increased by 53% in 2022 from a year earlier, with a significant rise in Iran and Saudi Arabia, Amnesty International said in an annual report Tuesday that also criticized Indonesia as having one of the highest numbers of new death sentences in Asia. Read here: Indian-origin man executed in Singapore over drugs trafficking: Report Amnesty said 70% of …

Recorded executions rise to highest in five years: Amnesty
1 year, 10 months ago

Recorded executions rise to highest in five years: Amnesty

Al Jazeera  

In annual report, rights group says ‘killing spree’ was led by countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Some 883 people were executed last year, the highest number of known executions in five years, according to Amnesty International, which also raised concerns about the use of the death penalty for drug offences. Some 90 percent of the world’s known …

U.N. says Iran executes on average more than ten people per week
1 year, 10 months ago

U.N. says Iran executes on average more than ten people per week

The Hindu  

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that Iran has executed a "frighteningly" high number of people this year, rising to more than ten per week on average. "On average so far this year, over ten persons are put to death each week in Iran, making it one of the world's highest executors," said Mr. Turk. "At this …

Iran Executes Two Men Convicted Over Desecrating Koran: Report
1 year, 10 months ago

Iran Executes Two Men Convicted Over Desecrating Koran: Report

News 18  

Iran on Monday executed two people convicted over desecrating the Koran and insulting the Prophet Mohammad, the judiciary said. Sadrollah Fazeli Zarei and Youssef Mehrdad were hanged in the morning, having previously been convicted over “insulting Prophet Mohammad and… burning the Koran”, the judiciary’s Mizan Online website reported. Iran executes more people yearly than any other nation except China, according …

Executions surge by 75pc in Iran after anti-government protests
1 year, 11 months ago

Executions surge by 75pc in Iran after anti-government protests

The Telegraph  

Iran recorded a 75 per cent increase in executions last year, according to an annual report by two human rights groups, as Tehran grapples to contain an anti-government protest movement. On Thursday, Norway-based Iran Human Rights and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty said that Iran executed at least 582 prisoners in 2022, the highest number since 2015 and a …

Saudi Arabia executes man during Ramadan; ‘rare’ decries rights group
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia executes man during Ramadan; ‘rare’ decries rights group

Hindustan Times  

Saudi Arabia executed a man during the holy month of Ramadan, Guardian reported citing a rights group which said that the execution was rare. “Saudi Arabia executed a citizen during Ramadan,” European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights said in a statement, citing Saudi interior ministry capital punishment data. In 2022, Saudi Arabia executed 147 people in- over double the 2021 …

Executions aren’t new in Iran, but this time they’re different
2 years, 2 months ago

Executions aren’t new in Iran, but this time they’re different

CNN  

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in today’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, CNN’s three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk on Tuesday accused Iran of “weaponizing” criminal procedures, saying it amounts to “state sanctioned killing” With this round of protests, critics say, the authorities are using charges that carry …

Scores of protesters in Iran facing potential capital punishment; 11 already sentenced to death
2 years, 3 months ago

Scores of protesters in Iran facing potential capital punishment; 11 already sentenced to death

India Today  

Hundreds of protesters in Iran are facing charges punishable by death, Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights has said. According to a report, as many as 100 detainees are facing potential capital punishment, including at least 11 already sentenced to death. “By issuing death sentences and executing some of them, want to make people go home,” IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam was …

Iran executes four people accused of spying for Mossad
2 years, 3 months ago

Iran executes four people accused of spying for Mossad

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Authorities in Iran have executed …

Saudi Arabia beheading by sword, executes 12 people in 10 days
2 years, 4 months ago

Saudi Arabia beheading by sword, executes 12 people in 10 days

Hindustan Times  

Saudi Arabia executed 12 people in 10 days for drug offences after a two-year hiatus, according to a rights organisation. The spate of executions, most of which are beheadings with a sword, suggests that the country is on track for a record year of executions despite Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman previously vowing to reduce such punishments. Saudi Arabia crown …

Explained: The two-fold rise in executions in Saudi Arabia
2 years, 4 months ago

Explained: The two-fold rise in executions in Saudi Arabia

Firstpost  

Saudi Arabia has executed twice as many people in 2022 as it did last year. The most recent execution was of a Jordanian national convicted of smuggling amphetamine tablets, bringing the year’s total to 138, up from 69 last year Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has executed twice as many people in 2022 as it did last year, according to an AFP …

Executions surge 20 percent in 2021 led by China, Iran: Amnesty
2 years, 10 months ago

Executions surge 20 percent in 2021 led by China, Iran: Amnesty

Al Jazeera  

Human rights group also notes continued secrecy in China, North Korea and Vietnam, and ‘alarming rise’ in use of death sentences in Myanmar. The number of executions globally rose 20 percent in 2021, while the number of death sentences handed down increased by 40 percent, rights group Amnesty International has said. Amnesty said secrecy in North Korea and Vietnam, as …

Saudi Arabia Executes 81 Men in One Day, the Biggest Mass Execution Since 1980
3 years ago

Saudi Arabia Executes 81 Men in One Day, the Biggest Mass Execution Since 1980

News 18  

Saudi Arabia executed 81 men on Saturday, including seven Yemenis and one Syrian, for terrorism and other offenses including holding “deviant beliefs,” authorities said, in the biggest mass execution in decades. “These individuals, totaling 81, were convicted of various crimes including murdering innocent men, women and children,” the interior ministry said in a statement. Rights groups have accused Saudi Arabia …

Saudi Arabia executes 81 men in one day in largest mass execution in decades
3 years ago

Saudi Arabia executes 81 men in one day in largest mass execution in decades

ABC  

Saudi Arabia has executed 81 men, including seven Yemenis and one Syrian, the interior ministry said, in the kingdom's biggest mass execution in decades. Photo shows Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rests his head on his hand at the 29th Arab Summit The death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has put the spotlight on the country's heir to the …

Saudi Arabia puts 81 to death in its largest mass execution
3 years ago

Saudi Arabia puts 81 to death in its largest mass execution

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed 81 people convicted of crimes ranging from killings to belonging to militant groups, the largest known mass execution carried out in the kingdom in its modern history. The number of death penalty cases being carried out in Saudi Arabia had dropped during the coronavirus pandemic, though the kingdom continued to …

Saudi Arabia Executes 81 People In A Single Day For Terror-Related Offences: Report
3 years ago

Saudi Arabia Executes 81 People In A Single Day For Terror-Related Offences: Report

ABP News  

New Delhi: In the largest mass execution by Saudi Arabia in its modern history, the Gulf country executed 81 people convicted of terror-related offences on Saturday. As per a report on news agency AFP, all the persons executed had been "found guilty of committing multiple heinous crimes", the official Saudi Press Agency reported, saying they included convicts linked to the …

Saudi Arabia executes 81 people in a single day
3 years ago

Saudi Arabia executes 81 people in a single day

Al Jazeera  

The death penalty applied for a range of charges in the largest known mass execution carried out in the kingdom’s modern history. Saudi Arabia has executed 81 men over the past 24 hours, including seven Yemenis and one Syrian national, on charges including “allegiance to foreign terrorist organisations” and holding “deviant beliefs”, state news agency Saudi Press Agency said, in …

Saudi Arabia puts 81 to death in its largest mass execution
3 years ago

Saudi Arabia puts 81 to death in its largest mass execution

India TV News  

Highlights Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed 81 people convicted of various crimes The number of death penalty cases being carried out in Saudi Arabia had dropped during Covid The kingdom's last mass execution came in January 2016, when the kingdom executed 47 people Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed 81 people convicted of crimes ranging from killings to belonging to militant …

Saudi Arabia ramped up executions in first half of 2021: Amnesty
3 years, 7 months ago

Saudi Arabia ramped up executions in first half of 2021: Amnesty

Al Jazeera  

The kingdom executed at least 40 people between January and July 2021, more than in whole of 2020, UK-based group says. Saudi Arabia has ramped up executions in the first half of 2021 following a drop during its G20 presidency in 2020, according to United Kingdom-based rights group Amnesty International. Although Saudi Arabia executed a record 185 people in 2019, …

Mideast Countries Top 2020 Global Executioners List, Account for 88% Death Sentences
3 years, 11 months ago

Mideast Countries Top 2020 Global Executioners List, Account for 88% Death Sentences

News 18  

Apart from China and despite a worldwide drop in death sentences, countries in the Middle East remained among the world’s leading executioners last year, Amnesty International said Wednesday. Although counts in the nations fell in line with global trends, largely due to Saudi legal reforms, the countries carried out 88% of the world’s total known executions in 2020, according to …

Amnesty International says executions globally down in 2020, although Egypt tripled state killings
3 years, 11 months ago

Amnesty International says executions globally down in 2020, although Egypt tripled state killings

ABC  

Amnesty International's annual review of the global death penalty found a decrease in the total number of executions in 2020. Three countries make up the majority of known global death sentences In Iran, at least 23 people were sentenced to death in 2020 in cases relating to political violence. Amnesty International secretary-general Agnes Callamard said the death penalty was an …

China, Middle East dominate 2020 list of top executioners: Report
3 years, 11 months ago

China, Middle East dominate 2020 list of top executioners: Report

Al Jazeera  

Amnesty International’s annual review shows general decrease in number of global executions in 2020, but 18 countries continued the practice. In its annual global review of the death penalty, Amnesty International said that the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus pandemic contributed to a trend of decline in global executions between January and December 2020. Commenting on the findings, Agnes Callamard, …

Saudi Arabia executes 3 soldiers for ‘cooperating with enemy’
3 years, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia executes 3 soldiers for ‘cooperating with enemy’

Al Jazeera  

The defence ministry says soldiers were sentenced to death by a specialist court after a fair trial. Saudi Arabia has executed three soldiers convicted of “high treason” and “cooperating with the enemy”, with a statement from the kingdom’s defence ministry saying the trio was sentenced to death by a specialist court after a fair trial. The ministry said the soldiers …

Dramatic drop in Saudi executions after laws changed in 2020
4 years, 2 months ago

Dramatic drop in Saudi executions after laws changed in 2020

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Saudi Arabia, for years one …

Dramatic drop in Saudi executions after laws changed in 2020
4 years, 2 months ago

Dramatic drop in Saudi executions after laws changed in 2020

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia, for years one of the world’s most prolific executioners, dramatically reduced the number of people put to death last year, following changes halting executions for non-violent drug-related crimes, according to the government’s tally and independent observers. According to Human Rights Watch, there were just five executions for drug-related crimes last year in Saudi …

Saudi Arabia: Executions scrapped for crimes committed as minors
4 years, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Executions scrapped for crimes committed as minors

Al Jazeera  

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s biggest executioners after Iran and China, according to Amnesty International. Saudi Arabia will no longer impose the death sentence on individuals who committed crimes while still minors, the state-backed Human Rights Commission has said in a statement citing a royal decree by King Salman. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s biggest executioners …

Amnesty: Saudi Arabia executed record number of people in 2019
4 years, 11 months ago

Amnesty: Saudi Arabia executed record number of people in 2019

Al Jazeera  

Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Bahrain see rising executions while Asia-Pacific region records lowest numbers since 2011. Saudi Arabia executed a record 184 people last year, according to Amnesty International, which said it was the highest number the rights organisation has ever recorded in a single year in the country. In its 2019 global review of the death penalty published on …

Executions 'DOUBLE in Saudi Arabia in the first six months of the year compared to 2018'
5 years, 8 months ago

Executions 'DOUBLE in Saudi Arabia in the first six months of the year compared to 2018'

Daily Mail  

Saudi Arabia executed 122 people in the first six months of 2019 making it the bloodiest start to a year in the Arab kingdom since 2014, a new report claims. Saudi Arabia executed 122 people in the six months to end of June, more than double the 55 people it put to death last year and the highest total since …

Commission asks US to punish Saudi Arabia over Shia executions
5 years, 11 months ago

Commission asks US to punish Saudi Arabia over Shia executions

Al Jazeera  

Commission on International Religious Freedom says Washington must stop giving Riyadh ‘a free pass’ after 37 executed. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom, whose members are appointed by the president and legislators across party lines but whose role is advisory, said the US State Department “must stop giving a free pass” to Saudi Arabia. “The State Department must stop …

Executed Saudi men confessed under duress: Report
5 years, 11 months ago

Executed Saudi men confessed under duress: Report

Al Jazeera  

Court documents obtained by CNN reveal many of the 37 men executed maintained their innocence until their last breath. Saudi authorities said the 37 individuals were found guilty of attacking security installations with explosives, killing a number of security officers and cooperating with “enemy organisations” against the country’s interests. “He was subjected to psychological and physical abuse which drained his …

Saudi Arabia executes 37 in connection with terrorism
5 years, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia executes 37 in connection with terrorism

Al Jazeera  

Saudi Arabia executed 37 of its citizens on Tuesday for what it said were “terrorism” related crimes, publicly pinning at least one of the bodies to a pole as a warning to others. The individuals were found guilty of attacking security installations with explosives, killing a number of security officers, and cooperating with “enemy organisations” against the interests of the …

UN rights chief condemns ‘shocking’ Saudi mass executions
5 years, 11 months ago

UN rights chief condemns ‘shocking’ Saudi mass executions

Al Jazeera  

The UN human rights chief on Wednesday called Saudi Arabia’s mass executions of 37 men “shocking” and “abhorrent”, joining a growing chorus of condemnation by rights groups and activists. “I strongly condemn these shocking mass executions across six cities in Saudi Arabia yesterday,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement. This is the largest mass …

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