Saudi Arabia executed six Iranian citizens in Dammam for drug trafficking, the country’s Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday. The ministry stated that the individuals were involved in smuggling hashish into the kingdom but did not disclose details about the time of their arrests, trials, or executions.
The executions are part of a sharp rise in death penalty cases under the kingdom’s judicial system. According to human rights group Reprieve and data verified by Reuters, Saudi Arabia has carried out 330 executions in 2024, the highest number in decades. This figure marks a significant increase compared to 172 executions in 2023 and 196 in 2022.
The surge comes despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 pledge to limit capital punishment to cases of murder, as part of his Vision 2030 initiative to modernize the kingdom and transform its global image. The plan includes substantial investments aimed at rebranding Saudi Arabia as a tourism and entertainment destination.
Rights groups have criticized the rise in executions, many of which are reportedly linked to drug-related offenses. Observers suggest the trend may be an effort to suppress dissent amid ongoing unrest.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran, which frequently faces international criticism for its own record on capital punishment, executed at least 930 people in 2024, according to the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights. This figure represents an increase from 811 in 2023 and 579 in 2022.
In a recent report, the Boroumand Center called for a consistent and unified international response to hold countries accountable for such practices. “The international community must adopt a unified, consistent, transparent, and effective response to protect those targeted and hold Iran, and other countries following its example, accountable,” the report stated.
Saudi Arabia’s rising execution rates have renewed scrutiny from human rights organizations, which have urged the kingdom to align its judicial practices with international standards.