Introduction: In 2025, Saudi Arabia has executed at least 100 people, a stark reflection of its continued reliance on the death penalty under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. From terrorism charges to drug-related offenses, these executions have sparked global concern over human rights violations, with critics accusing the kingdom of using vague laws to silence dissent. This article explores the surge in capital punishment and its implications.
A Surge in Executions
On May 3, 2025, Saudi Arabia executed two nationals for terrorism-related charges, bringing the year’s total to at least 100, according to an AFP tally. The Ministry of Interior stated the individuals were involved in a “terrorist organization” and attended training camps abroad to learn explosives production. Of the 100 executions, 59 were for drug-related offenses, with 43 involving foreign nationals, highlighting a disproportionate impact on migrants. Middle East Eye reports that this marks a significant increase from 170 executions in 2023 and 338 in 2024, the highest in decades.
[](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-executes-its-100th-prisoner-so-far-year)
Human Rights Violations Under Scrutiny
Human rights groups, including Reprieve and Human Rights Watch, have criticized Saudi Arabia’s execution practices, particularly under Mohammed bin Salman, who has overseen at least 1,115 executions since June 2017. Reprieve’s Jeed Basyouni noted, “While Saudi Arabia positions itself as a positive diplomatic actor, its international partners are showing they are willing to turn a blind eye to its flagrant human rights violations.” The kingdom’s counterterrorism law, criticized for its broad definition of terrorism, has been used to target dissidents and protesters, often through unfair trials marred by torture. Human Rights Watch
[](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-executes-its-100th-prisoner-so-far-year)[](https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/14/joint-statement-saudi-arabia-escalating-use-death-penalty)Reprieve’s 2023 report, Bloodshed and Lies: Mohammed bin Salman’s Kingdom of Executions, revealed that executions nearly doubled from an average of 70.8 per year (2010-2014) to 129.5 per year since 2015, with 2024 seeing a record 345 executions. The report also highlighted systemic issues, such as secret executions, lack of transparency, and the execution of minors and women, including foreign domestic workers like Tuti Tursilawati, who was beheaded in 2018 after killing her abusive employer in self-defense. Reprieve
[](https://reprieve.org/uk/2023/01/31/saudi-arabia-and-the-death-penalty-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-rise-in-executions-under-mohammed-bin-salman/)Drug-Related Executions and International Criticism
Saudi Arabia resumed executions for drug-related offenses in November 2022, ending a three-year moratorium. In 2024, 103 of 303 executions were for drug crimes, a sharp rise from just two in 2023. Amnesty International and the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) condemned this trend, noting that such offenses do not meet the international threshold of “most serious crimes” warranting the death penalty. Posts on X reflect growing alarm, with users like @Dalia__2000 reporting 88 executions by April 2025, 52 for drug offenses, often after “sham trials.”
[](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-executions-2024-surpass-300-record-tally)Vision 2030 and the Human Rights Paradox
Under Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has pursued economic diversification and social reforms, such as allowing women to drive and hosting global events like the 2034 World Cup. However, critics argue these efforts mask a crackdown on freedom of expression. The Specialized Criminal Court, meant for terrorism cases, has been used to sentence activists like Salma al-Shehab to 27 years for tweets supporting women’s rights. The 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi further underscores the kingdom’s intolerance for dissent, despite claims of modernization.
[](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-executes-its-100th-prisoner-so-far-year)[](https://www.amnesty.org.uk/saudi-arabia-human-rights-raif-badawi-king-salman)Calls for Reform and Accountability
Human rights organizations urge Saudi Arabia to abolish the death penalty for non-lethal offenses and ensure fair trials. The UN has called for transparency and an end to torture in detention, citing cases like Abdullah al-Howaiti, a minor sentenced to death after a forced confession. As Saudi Arabia bids for a UN Human Rights Council seat, its execution record remains a contentious issue, with activists warning that international silence enables further abuses.
[](https://reprieve.org/uk/2023/01/31/saudi-arabia-and-the-death-penalty-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-rise-in-executions-under-mohammed-bin-salman/)[](https://abcnews.go.com/International/saudi-arabia-bids-human-rights-spot-breaks-annual/story?id=114342390)An Interesting Fact About Saudi Arabia
The ancient city of Al-Ula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to Hegra (Mada’in Saleh), Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO-listed site. This Nabataean city, dating back over 2,000 years, features well-preserved rock-cut tombs and is a testament to the kingdom’s rich pre-Islamic history.
Author: Planet-Today.com
Sources: Middle East Eye, Human Rights Watch, Reprieve
Saudi Arabia Executions, Mohammed bin Salman, Human Rights Violations, Terrorism Charges, Drug-Related Offenses, Death Penalty, Counterterrorism Law