On Saturday, Saudi Arabia executed 81 men, including one Syrian and seven Yemenis for terrorism and other offenses. This was the biggest mass execution in decades. There were 67 executions reported in Saudi Arabia in all of 2021 and 27 in 2020. Those executed were convincted of crimes including murdering men, women and children according tot he interior ministry.
The ministry did not confirm how the executions were carried out. Those executed included 37 Saudi nationals who were found guilty for attempting to assassinate security officers and targeting police stations and convoys. Rights groups have criticized Saudi Arabia for its use of the death penalty and its enforcement of restrictive laws of political and religious expression. Saudi Arabia denies accusations of human rights violations and that those executed had the right to attorney and were guaranteed full rights under Saudi law.
Read more: Saudi Arabia executes 81 men in one day, the biggest mass execution in decades