According to Yahoo News, Saudi Arabia beheaded two convicted rapists and a murderer last week, bringing to 21 the total number of people that has been executed so far this year. All three convicts were said to be Saudis. Abdul Kareem bin Abdul Sattar Meezi and Hashim bin Abdo Mahragi were convicted of kidnapping and raping a girl and were executed in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, the ministry said.
“The interior ministry confirms that it is determined to maintain security, serve justice and implement the provisions of God on all those who attack the innocent, shed blood or cause disgrace,” it said in a statement reported by the official SPA news agency.
Prior to this recent execution, Abdelrahm Al-Jahai was convicted of shooting a man to death during a dispute a few weeks ago. According to AFP, the execution was carried out in the holy city of Medina. An earlier beheading on the street of Mecca of a woman believed to be of Rohinya’s origin which was captured on camera and spread through social media also resulted in the man who took the photograph being detained by police. The execution swiftly went viral and was vividly seen throughout the globe.
Saudi Arabia has faced consistent international criticisms over its human rights record, including the way it uses the death penalty to execute convicts.
Photo Credit: Yasser al-Zayyat/AFP Photo
