The Saudi regime has recently broken a record, having executed a total of 356 people in the year 2025. The main reason behind such an increase in executions has been identified as Saudi Arabia’s “war on drugs.” There have been people arrested in previous years, who have been recently sentenced to death.
The official statistics reported by the Saudi government indicated that 243 people were executed for drug-related crimes in 2025, based on the count kept by Agence France-Presse. This is the second year in a row that the country has seen record numbers of execution, following 2024’s total of 338.
Saudi Arabia reinstated the execution of drug offenders in late 2022 after a three-year hiatus. Saudi Arabia is the second-largest market forfenethylline, a banned prescription drug commonly referred to as Captagon, which is the main export of Syria, under President Bashar al-Assad, as reported by the UN.
Since the “war on drugs” began, authorities have increased police checkpoints on highways and borders, confiscating millions of pills and arresting dozens of traffickers.
Who Else Was Executed Beyond Drug Offenders?
Other executions included a journalist and two young men who were children at the time of their alleged protest-related crimes. Five women were also put to death.
According to the human rights group Reprieve, two-thirds of them were convicted of non-life drug-related crimes, described as “incompatible with international norms and standards” by the UN. More than half of the executed persons were foreign. The Saudi government has ignored requests to comment on the rising number of executions.
What Are Human Rights Groups Saying About These Executions?
“Saudi Arabia is operating with complete impunity now,” said Jeed Basyouni, head of death penalty for the Middle East and North Africa at Reprieve. She described torture and forced confessions as “endemic” in the Saudi criminal justice system and called the crackdown “brutal and arbitrary,” affecting innocent people and those on the margins of society.
Many families of those executed are not informed in advance, nor are they given the bodies or told where their loved ones have been buried. Executions are believed to be carried out by either beheading or firing squad.
How Does Saudi Arabia’s Death Penalty Record Compare Globally?
The number of executions in Saudi Arabia is very high and contrasts with its plans to project a modern vision, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his Vision 2030 plans, which include tourism and sports such as the 2034 World Cup.
Rights activists say this besmirches an otherwise modern reputation. In recent years, only China and Iran have executed more people than Saudi Arabia, according to human rights organizations.
Which Notable Cases Sparked International Condemnation?
Defendants who were executed include Abdullah al-Derazi and Jalal al-Labbad, both of whom were minors when they were arrested for leading peaceful protests against the government’s handling of the country’s Shia Muslim minority in 2011 and 2012. Both were sentenced to death because of charges linked to terrorism despite grossly unfair trials in which their confessions were marred by torture when Amnesty International investigated the matter.
Journalist Turki Al-Jasser, who had been arrested back in 2018 for terrorism and high treason through writings, though sentenced to death, was also executed. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay referred to the incident related to his execution as the ‘chilling attack on freedom of expression.’ Reporters Without Borders reported the incident to be the first execution of a journalist under the rule of Mohammed bin Salman. Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in 2018.
Are Foreign Nationals Disproportionately Affected by Executions?
UN experts expressed concern over a group of 32 Egyptians and one Jordanian sentenced to death on drug charges, many of whom were allegedly denied legal representation. Since December 2024, most have been executed. Families described their loved ones being “taken like goats” to be killed.
What Does the Saudi Government Say About Its Use of the Death Penalty?
In a January 2025 letter responding to UN special rapporteurs, Saudi Arabia said it “protects and upholds” human rights. The letter stated the death penalty is only applied for the most serious crimes, after judicial proceedings in all courts have been completed, and that Saudi law prohibits and punishes torture.
How Has the UN Responded to Saudi Executions?
Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, called for an immediate moratorium on executions in Saudi Arabia with a view to abolition. He urged full compliance with international safeguards, including:
- Effective legal assistance and consular access for foreign nationals
- Prompt notification of families
- Return of remains without delay
- Publication of comprehensive execution data for independent scrutiny
Why Are Drug Offenses Driving So Many Executions?
The surge in drug-related executions began after Saudi authorities ended an unofficial moratorium in late 2022—a move the UN described as “deeply regrettable.” Reprieve noted that 96 executions were linked solely to hashish.
Jeed Basyouni commented: “It almost seems that it doesn’t matter who they execute, as long as they send a message of zero tolerance—whether it’s protests, freedom of expression, or drugs.”
Relatives of men on death row have described living in “terror,” with some only sleeping on weekends when executions do not take place. Cellmates have witnessed fellow inmates being dragged “kicking and screaming” to their deaths.
How Has Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Balanced Reform With Repression?
Since becoming crown prince in 2017, Mohammed bin Salman has made significant social reforms:
- Loosening restrictions on women, including allowing them to drive
- Reducing the presence of the religious police
- Opening Saudi Arabia to tourism and international events
However, the kingdom’s human rights record remains “abysmal,” according to Human Rights Watch. High execution rates continue despite Saudi Arabia hosting global events and promoting a modern image.
Joey Shea, Human Rights Watch researcher, said: “There’s been no cost for Mohammed bin Salman and his authorities for going ahead with these executions. Entertainment events and sporting events continue with no repercussions.”