Riyadh, Dec 17 (V7N) – Saudi Arabia has carried out the highest number of executions in a single year, setting a new national and historical record, according to figures released by Agence France-Presse (AFP). As of mid-December, the kingdom has executed at least 340 people, surpassing last year’s total and marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking executions.

AFP reported on Tuesday, December 16, that Saudi authorities confirmed the execution of three additional individuals on Monday, bringing the overall figure to an unprecedented level. Human rights organizations note that this is the highest number of executions recorded since the 1990s, when systematic documentation of capital punishment began.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed 338 people, which at the time was already considered a sharp increase and a record high. The current year has now exceeded that figure, reinforcing concerns among international rights groups over the kingdom’s growing reliance on the death penalty.

Executions in Saudi Arabia are carried out for a range of offenses, including murder, terrorism-related charges, and drug-related crimes. While Saudi authorities argue that capital punishment is essential for maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety, critics have repeatedly raised concerns about fair trial standards, transparency in legal proceedings, and the use of the death penalty for non-violent offenses.

International human rights organizations have renewed calls for Saudi Arabia to halt executions, introduce a moratorium on the death penalty, and align its judicial practices with international human rights norms. Despite these appeals, the latest figures indicate that executions continue at an accelerated pace, drawing increased global attention and criticism.

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