Number of foreigners to be sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia by 2024 crosses 100

Saudi Arabia Execution 2024: More than 100 foreigners have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia so far this year, an unprecedented increase compared to previous years. According to Saudi Press Agency and other media reports, most of the foreign nationals in these cases were found involved in crimes like drug smuggling.

So far in 2024, 101 foreigners have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, which is almost three times more than the number recorded in 2023 and 2022. The number of people awarded death sentence in the year 2023 was 34 foreigners and in 2022 also it was 34. However, this year in 2024 the figure has crossed 100.

Number of Indians who died in Saudi Arabia
This year’s number of death sentences has reached more than 100 for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia. The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) described it as “the largest number of foreigners deported in a year”. The list of foreigners who have received death penalty in Saudi Arabia includes citizens of different countries, which is as follows.

• Pakistan: 21
• Yemen: 20
• Syria: 14
• Nigeria: 10
• Egypt: 9
• Jordan: 8
• Ethiopia: 7
• India, Sudan and Afghanistan: 3-3
• Sri Lanka, Eritrea and Philippines: 1-1

Death penalty extended for drug crimes
Saudi Arabia ended a three-year moratorium on executions for drug crimes in 2022. After this, there was a sharp increase in the number of death sentences in drug related crimes. This decision has come at the center of international criticism, as it has been described as a violation of human rights and an example of excessive punishment.

Criticism from human rights organizations
Saudi Arabia has long been facing criticism for its harsh use of death penalty. Amnesty International described this as “not compatible with human rights”. Human rights groups say that this is contrary to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to create a soft image and attract global investors and tourists.

Saudi position in death penalty in the world
According to Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia was the third country in 2023, after China and Iran, to carry out the most number of death sentences.
2022: 196 hanged
1995: 192 hanged
By 2024, this number has so far reached 274, which is the highest level in the last three decades.

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