Riyadh: Saudi Arabia beheaded one of its nationals on Thursday after he was convicted of murdering a fellow citizen, the interior ministry announced.
Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Saudi beheads national for murder
The execution by sword brings number of beheadings this year to five
- AFP
- Published: 19:18 January 17, 2013
Saeed Al Qah’tani shot dead Khazma Al Qah’tani, a woman apparently from his own tribe, due to a dispute between the two, the ministry said in a statement published by the official SPA news agency.
He was beheaded by the sword in the southwestern Aseer region.
The beheading brings to five the number of people executed in Saudi Arabia so far this year.
Last year, the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom beheaded 76 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The US-based Human Rights Watch put the number at 69.
Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Saudi Arabia’s strict version of sharia, or Islamic law.
News Editor's choice
-
Clashes likely as Salafists defy ban in Tunisia
Sunday demonstration expected to attract 40,000 supporters
-
Social media: The pros and cons of ‘sharenting’
Are parents who constantly tweet and post photos of their kids doing more harm than good?
-
US slams delivery of Russian anti-ship missiles
Defence Secretary Hagel urges Russia to rethink military aid to Syria