Saudi Arabia Executes U.S. National Convicted of Torture and Murder
Saudi Arabia made headlines on Wednesday as it executed a U.S. national who was convicted of torturing and killing his father. According to state media, this brings the number of foreigners put to death in the country to at least 19 this year.
The execution of Bishoy Sharif Naji Naseef took place in the Riyadh region, as announced by the official Saudi Press Agency. While the age of Naseef was not disclosed, the court found him guilty of beating and strangling his Egyptian father to death, mutilating him after his demise. Additionally, Naseef was charged with using drugs and attempting to kill another individual.
As of now, it is unclear what method of execution was used, but Saudi Arabia has historically utilized beheading for implementing the death penalty. The Gulf Kingdom has faced criticism for its frequent use of capital punishment, as it undermines its efforts to soften its image through the “Vision 2030” social and economic reform agenda.
In response to the execution, the U.S. State Department revealed that they are aware of the reports regarding the U.S. citizen’s execution in Saudi Arabia. They added that they are monitoring the situation but refrained from providing further comments.
Amnesty International has previously labeled Saudi Arabia as the world’s third most prolific executioner. Since King Salman assumed power in 2015, over 1,000 death sentences have been carried out. The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights and the Britain-based group Reprieve published a report earlier this year, highlighting the high number of executions under King Salman’s reign.
According to an AFP tally based on state media reports, a total of 91 people, including 19 foreigners, have been executed in Saudi Arabia this year. These individuals hailed from various countries, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Yemen. Compared to last year’s figure of 147 executions, the 2022 figure of 69 marks a significant decrease.
Notably, the moratorium on executions for drug crimes ended in 2022, leading to their resumption. One particular day saw the execution of 81 individuals for offenses related to “terrorism,” causing international outcry.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler and son of King Salman, has repeatedly claimed that the kingdom is reducing executions. In a transcript of an interview with The Atlantic magazine published by state media in March 2022, the Crown Prince stated that Saudi Arabia had “got rid of” the death penalty, except for cases of murder or where there is a threat to many lives.
Saudi Arabia’s continued use of capital punishment raises concerns from human rights groups, highlighting the need for further reforms and a reassessment of its approach to justice.