Saudi Arabia has executed 17 individuals over a span of just three days, marking the fastest rate of capital punishment in the kingdom since 2022 and intensifying scrutiny of its human rights record. The latest surge, confirmed by state media, brings the total number of executions this year to 239 — putting the kingdom on track to surpass last year’s record of 338
According to the Saudi Press Agency, two Saudi nationals were executed on Monday for terrorism-related offenses. This followed the execution of 15 others — mostly foreign nationals — over the weekend, primarily for drug-related crimes including smuggling hashish and cocaine.
The rapid pace of executions has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who argue it contradicts the reformist image Saudi Arabia is attempting to project under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 agenda.
“This is particularly concerning given the global trend toward decriminalising the possession and use of hashish,” said Jeed Basyouni of Reprieve, a UK-based rights group. She noted a “significant rise” in executions related to hashish offences, with a disproportionate number involving foreign nationals.
Of the 239 executions recorded so far this year, 161 were for drug offenses and 136 involved foreign nationals, according to an AFP tally of official data. The last time the kingdom executed at such a pace was in March 2022, when 81 people were put to death in a single day, sparking international condemnation.
Analysts suggest the recent uptick is linked to Saudi Arabia’s intensified “war on drugs,” launched in 2023. Many of those executed over the weekend had been arrested in the campaign’s early stages and were now facing the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Saudi authorities maintain that capital punishment is only applied after exhaustive legal appeals and is used as a tool to deter serious crimes and protect national security. However, critics argue the ongoing executions undermine the Crown Prince’s attempts to present Saudi Arabia as a modern, open society attractive to foreign investment and tourism.
The resumption of executions for drug offenses in late 2022, after a three-year unofficial moratorium, has further alarmed international observers, especially as global attitudes shift toward more lenient drug laws.
As Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to reshape its global image, the latest wave of executions raises difficult questions about the balance between domestic policy, international human rights norms, and the kingdom’s ambitious reform agenda.
