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Saudi Arabia Executes Eight for Drug Crimes Amid Execution Surge

8/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In a chilling escalation, Saudi Arabia executed eight individuals, primarily foreign nationals, for drug offenses in Najran. This grim trend continues a wave of executions, with 230 carried out in 2025, half for non-lethal crimes. Alarmingly, foreign nationals, who make up 36% of the population, faced 92 executions in 2024, often without fair legal protections.

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Story summary

In a chilling escalation, Saudi Arabia executed eight individuals, primarily foreign nationals, for drug offenses in Najran. This grim trend continues a wave of executions, with 230 carried out in 2025, half for non-lethal crimes. Alarmingly, foreign nationals, who make up 36% of the population, faced 92 executions in 2024, often without fair legal protections.