Saudi Arabia executed its 2,000th person last week since King Salman ascended to the throne 11 years ago, marking a dramatic increase in capital punishment under his rule. This figure represents a fivefold surge in execution rates compared to the preceding five-year period, according to data compiled by the rights group Reprieve. "The state uses the death penalty as a tool of political control," Jeed Basyouni of Reprieve told Middle East Eye, describing the benchmark as a "frightening milestone."
The increase in executions has been stark. In the five years before King Salman took power in 2015, Saudi Arabia executed an average of 71 individuals annually. That rate has now jumped dramatically.
Last year alone, 356 people were executed, following 345 executions in 2024. These numbers illustrate a clear shift in the kingdom's approach to criminal justice, a trajectory that concerns many observers of human rights. The numbers tell the story.
Beyond the sheer volume, the nature of the offenses leading to capital punishment has also expanded. Of the executions recorded last year, a majority, 232 individuals, were for drug-related cases. This marks a significant policy reversal; the kingdom had suspended the use of the death penalty for drug offenses for approximately three years, only to resume it at the close of 2022.
Other individuals faced execution on terrorism charges, which critics say often rely on broadly defined legal terms under Saudi law. Such definitions can encompass acts that do not meet international standards for "most serious crimes," typically reserved for intentional killings. Last week, two Shia citizens from Saudi Arabia’s eastern province were executed after being convicted of terror offenses.
Their cases highlight the specific vulnerabilities faced by minority communities within the kingdom. Just a week prior, Saud al-Faraj, a 42-year-old Saudi businessman, also faced execution. His conviction stemmed from his participation in anti-government protests in 2011, part of the broader Arab Spring demonstrations.
Al-Faraj denied the charges, asserting he was tortured into confessing. He reported being moved in a wheelchair between interrogation sessions at the prison hospital and endured 21 months in solitary confinement. This concrete detail offers a glimpse into the harsh realities behind the statistics.
Julia Legner, executive director of the rights group Alqst, stated that this milestone "lays bare the Saudi authorities’ persistent and regressive human rights trajectory over the past decade." She pointed to a disconnect between public statements and actions. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler since 2017, has repeatedly promised to curb the use of the death penalty. The reality, however, has often diverged. "The reality has only worsened, both in scale and scope," Legner told Middle East Eye, noting that the state has crossed "ever more red lines," including the execution of journalists and child defendants.
Indeed, recent months have seen executions of individuals who were minors at the time of their alleged crimes. This practice directly violates international human rights law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Saudi Arabia is a signatory. In 2020, under international scrutiny, Saudi authorities vowed to end judges’ discretion to impose the death penalty on juvenile convicts.
The kingdom’s human rights commission even announced a royal order to stop these executions. Yet, several such cases have proceeded since that official statement, underscoring the gap between declared policy and its implementation. The policy says one thing.
The reality says another. Many foreign nationals are also among those executed in recent years. This aspect of the policy has particular resonance for families across borders, often with limited recourse or understanding of the Saudi legal system.
What this actually means for your family is often a sudden, irreversible loss, with little transparency. Jeed Basyouni of Reprieve emphasized this point, stating, "The distance between MBS’s public narrative of reform and modernisation, and the reality of death sentences meted out to child defendants, vulnerable migrants and political protesters, is wider than ever." This disparity creates a chilling effect for those living or working within the kingdom, particularly those without strong local connections or legal representation. The international community's response to these escalating numbers has been varied, with some nations offering muted criticism while others have prioritized diplomatic and economic ties.
Human rights organizations, however, consistently call for more robust condemnation and intervention. The broad definition of 'terrorism' used in Saudi courts remains a central concern for these groups, as it allows for the prosecution of dissent as a capital offense. This legal framework effectively silences opposition, making it difficult for citizens to advocate for change without fear of severe retribution.
The stakes are clear. From a working-class perspective, these policies can have a chilling impact on daily life. For foreign laborers, many of whom come to the kingdom seeking economic opportunity, the risk of facing severe penalties for offenses that might be minor elsewhere is a constant shadow.
Their families back home depend on their earnings, and an execution can leave them destitute, with little to no explanation or support. This vulnerability extends to local populations, where participation in protests, even peaceful ones, can lead to charges with capital implications. These are not abstract statistics; they represent lives cut short and families shattered.
Why It Matters: The escalating use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia matters because it directly challenges international human rights norms and raises serious questions about the kingdom's commitment to judicial reform. For ordinary people, both within Saudi Arabia and for foreign nationals working there, these policies create an environment of fear and uncertainty. It means that promises of modernization and reform, often touted by the Crown Prince, are seen by many as superficial when confronted with the reality of increasing executions, including for non-violent offenses and against individuals who were minors.
It impacts the trust people place in the legal system and the broader perception of justice. - Saudi Arabia has executed 2,000 individuals since King Salman's reign began in 2015, a fivefold increase from the prior period. - A significant number of recent executions, 232 in 2025, were for drug-related offenses, a policy resumed late in 2022. - The kingdom has executed individuals for crimes committed as minors and for participation in anti-government protests, despite earlier vows to end such practices. - Human rights organizations like Reprieve and Alqst attribute the surge to the use of capital punishment as a tool for political control and call for international attention. Looking ahead, human rights organizations will continue to track execution numbers and press for greater transparency and adherence to international law. The United Nations and various international bodies will likely face renewed calls to investigate specific cases and push for a moratorium on capital punishment in the kingdom.
The ongoing diplomatic engagement between Saudi Arabia and Western nations will also be closely scrutinized for how, or if, human rights concerns are integrated into broader policy discussions. Observers will watch for any shifts in legal definitions, particularly for 'terrorism' and drug offenses, and whether the kingdom’s public narrative of reform eventually aligns with its judicial practices. The world waits to see if these numbers will continue their upward trend or if international pressure will prompt a change in course.
Key Takeaways
— - Saudi Arabia has executed 2,000 individuals since King Salman's reign began in 2015, a fivefold increase from the prior period.
— - A significant number of recent executions, 232 in 2025, were for drug-related offenses, a policy resumed late in 2022.
— - The kingdom has executed individuals for crimes committed as minors and for participation in anti-government protests, despite earlier vows to end such practices.
— - Human rights organizations like Reprieve and Alqst attribute the surge to the use of capital punishment as a tool for political control and call for international attention.
Source: Middle East Eye
