Saudi Arabia must halt a disturbing rise in death penalty usage that has resulted in at least 47 state killings in the country already this year, Amnesty International urged after six more people were executed today.
Five Yemeni men were beheaded and crucified this morning in the city of Jizan, while a Saudi Arabian man was executed in the south-western city of Abha.
Saudi Arabias increased use of this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment is deeply disturbing and the authorities must halt what is a horrifying trend, said Philip Luther, Amnesty Internationals Middle East and North Africa director. The Kingdom must immediately establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing capital punishment.
Pictures today emerged on social media appearing to show five decapitated bodies hanging from a horizontal pole with their heads wrapped in bags. The beheading and crucifixion took place in front of the University of Jizan where students are taking exams. In Saudi Arabia, the practice of crucifixion refers to the court-ordered public display of the body after execution, along with the separated head if beheaded. It takes place in a public square to allegedly act as a deterrent.