Saudi Arabia has executed six Iranian nationals convicted of drug trafficking, marking a continuation of the kingdom’s strict anti-drug policies.
The Ministry of Interior announced that the executions took place in Dammam, located on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast. The individuals were convicted of “clandestinely introducing hashish” into the country, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
This latest development underscores the kingdom’s intensified anti-drug campaign, launched in 2023, which has seen widespread raids and arrests. According to an AFP tally of official figures, Saudi Arabia carried out 117 executions for drug-related offenses in 2024 alone.
Resurgence of the Death Penalty for Drug Crimes
The use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses surged after the kingdom ended a moratorium on such executions two years ago. While Saudi authorities defend the practice as necessary for maintaining public order and justice, human rights groups have consistently criticized the kingdom for its heavy reliance on capital punishment.
Amnesty International reports that Saudi Arabia was the third-highest executor globally in 2023, trailing only China and Iran. The organization has documented the country’s execution trends since the 1990s.
Diplomatic Context
The executions also occur against a backdrop of complex Saudi-Iranian relations. Saudi Arabia severed ties with Iran in 2016 following attacks on its embassy and consulate, which were triggered by Riyadh’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. However, relations were restored in March 2023 through a China-brokered agreement.
As Saudi Arabia continues its strict approach to combating drug trafficking, international observers and human rights advocates remain vocal in their concerns about the country’s judicial practices and use of the death penalty.