Despite promises by Saudi authorities to reduce the use of the death penalty and reserve it for only the most serious crimes, executions in the country have surged in 2025. Saudi Arabia has significantly increased executions for non-lethal offenses, particularly drug-related offenses committed by foreign nationals. Saudi authorities also executed Jalal al-Labbad and Abdullah al-Derazi, who were prosecuted for alleged crimes committed when they were children. In an alarming escalation, the kingdom executed prominent journalist Turki al-Jasser in June. This ongoing execution crisis raises serious concerns for the lives of detainees in Saudi Arabia, including political prisoners, many of whom have not been afforded due process and have faced abuses behind bars.
In a new fact sheet, MEDC and Reprieve break down dangerous new trends in executions in the kingdom.
Download a PDF of the fact sheet here.
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