Saudi Arabia has executed 330 individuals this year, marking the highest annual total in decades. The surge comes despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 assurance that the death penalty would be limited to murder cases as part of his vision for a modernized kingdom.
This stark increase contrasts with the country’s ongoing efforts to reshape its global image. Under the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, the kingdom has been investing heavily in transforming from a state known for strict religious controls and human rights controversies into a hub for tourism and entertainment. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), widely regarded as the driving force behind these reforms, faces growing scrutiny as human rights advocates highlight the disconnect between his pledges and the recent rise in executions.
Record-Breaking Numbers and Controversy
A report compiled by human rights organization Reprieve, corroborated by Reuters, revealed the execution toll surged from 172 in 2023 and 196 in 2022 to this year’s unprecedented figure. Reprieve described it as the highest number ever recorded in the kingdom’s history.
“This reform is built on a house of cards, propped up by record numbers of executions,” said Jeed Basyouni, a Reprieve representative.
Saudi authorities maintain that their actions, including the application of the death penalty, are necessary for preserving national security. However, rights groups counter that many of the executions violate international law. More than 150 individuals were reportedly executed for non-lethal offenses, particularly drug-related crimes and charges of non-lethal terrorism, often linked to anti-government activities.
The executions included individuals accused of smuggling captagon, an amphetamine-like substance widely trafficked from Syria under the rule of Bashar al-Assad. These cases also involved over 100 foreign nationals from countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Allegations of Judicial Failures
Families of those on death row have expressed concerns about Saudi Arabia’s judicial process, alleging limited legal representation and questionable evidence.
One relative of a foreign national accused of drug smuggling stated that the defendant had simply been fishing near the coast when he was arrested and denied access to a lawyer. Another family member of a long-detained defendant revealed they had attended court proceedings for three years without seeing any evidence presented. These accounts, however, remain unverified.
Human rights organizations have also accused Saudi Arabia of imposing death sentences on minors and relying on confessions obtained under duress.
A Legacy of Repression
Since ascending to power in a 2017 palace coup, MbS has faced criticism for clamping down on dissent, most notably following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. While MbS has taken responsibility for the killing, he has maintained it was the work of a rogue group.
This incident prompted widespread condemnation, with Western leaders distancing themselves from the kingdom. U.S. President Joe Biden, who once vowed to make Saudi Arabia a “pariah,” visited the kingdom in 2022, signaling a partial thaw in relations.
Despite promises of reform, observers note that repression in Saudi Arabia has become less visible but remains widespread. According to Dana Ahmed, a Middle East and North Africa researcher at Amnesty International, “Repression is increasing, but you don’t see it.”
Public Perception and Shifting Narratives
The kingdom’s public spaces have undergone a significant transformation. Squares that once hosted weekly public executions have been repurposed into vibrant areas filled with cafes and restaurants. This shift symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s broader attempt to project a modernized and progressive image while human rights organizations warn of ongoing systemic issues.
In a 2022 interview with The Atlantic, MbS reiterated that the death penalty in Saudi Arabia had been restricted to murder cases, asserting that such sentences were mandated by Islamic law and beyond his authority to change. However, the recent escalation in executions raises questions about the gap between these claims and the reality on the ground.
