International media reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has executed over 100 foreign nationals, including three Afghan citizens, this year. According to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Sunday, November 17, the number of executions in Saudi Arabia has tripled compared to the past two years.

The 101 foreigners executed so far included nationals from Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt, and other countries.

The latest was of a Yemeni national convicted of smuggling drugs, after a three-year moratorium on executing drug offenders ended in 2022.

This year's executions include 21 from Pakistan, 20 from Yemen, and 14 from Syria, while three each from Sudan, India and Afghanistan, and one each from Sri Lanka, Eritrea and the Philippines

Saudi Arabia has long faced criticism for its use of the death penalty, which human rights organisations have condemned as disproportionate and out of step with the country’s efforts to soften its strict image and attract international tourists and investors.

According to Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia executed the third-highest number of prisoners across the world after China and Iran in 2023.

Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year, according to an AFP tally indicating a sharp increase which one rights group said was unprecedented. Saudi Arabia has never executed 100 foreigners in a year,

More than 100 foreigners were executed by Saudi Arabia in 2024, according to a tally by AFP. On Saturday, the official Saudi Press Agency reported the execution of a Yemeni national convicted of smuggling drugs into the kingdom.