Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iran: Iranian TV: Iranian air defenses shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone over Markazi Province, central Iran
Nour News, citing Iranian Armed Forces: 20th wave of Operation Truthful Promise 3 successfully targeted three of the Israeli enemy's strategic centers.
Nour News, citing Iranian Armed Forces: The targets struck included Ben Gurion Airport, the Biological Research Center, and command and control centers.
Iran's representative to the UN: Once again the US chose to sacrifice its security for Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump on Truth Social: It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime Change??? MIGA!!!
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in New York: The draft resolution calls for the protection of civilians, respect for international law, and engaging in dialogue and negotiations.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in New York: Russia, China, and Pakistan submitted a draft resolution to the Security Council calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Israeli Channel 13: The Iranian nuclear program cannot be destroyed with missiles, even if we spend another year attacking it alongside the Americans.
Over 30 casualties in a suicide bombing that targeted the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria.
Iranian Shura Council recommends the closure of the Hormuz Strait and leaves the decision up to the Iranian National Security Council.

Saudi Arabia executes 17 people in 12 days, using World Cup as cover

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 23 Nov 2022 08:21
  • 4 Shares
3 Min Read

The toll of executions has reached 144 this year.

  • x
  • KSA executes 17 people in 12 days, toll reaches 144 this year
    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

According to a UN official on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia has been accused of using the World Cup as a diversion after it beheaded 17 people in the last 12 days, despite the nation's leaders vowing not to use the death penalty.

At a press conference in Geneva, UN human rights office spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell described the death penalty as "deeply regrettable", according to the Independent.

Saudi Arabia uses beheading as the primary method of execution. The 144 beheadings in 2022 surpass the total number of executions in the previous two years combined.

Read next: Execution rate in Saudi Arabia doubles this year

In the meantime, as the executions were held, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat next to Gianni Infantino at the World Cup opening ceremony on Sunday.

The human rights organization Reprieve brought attention to the case of a taxi driver who is about to be executed in a Saudi prison and whose sister last year requested assistance from former England player Alan Shearer.

Following the Saudi takeover of his former team, Newcastle United, Zeinab Abo Al-Kheir wrote to the TV pundit and asked him to "listen to the evidence about human rights abuses" in the desert nation. The Islamic country halted executions for two years during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Her brother, father-of-eight Hussein, was sentenced to death allegedly after amphetamine pills were found hidden in his fuel tank at a border checkpoint. However, activists contend that he confessed while being tortured and that the drugs were hidden in his car while it was parked outside of his Jordanian home.

Related News

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

Canadian PM invites Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman to 2025 G7 Summit

Read next: Saudi minor sentenced to death receives second death sentence

Director of Reprieve Maya Foa charged Saudi Arabia with carrying out the beheadings while the entire world was watching the World Cup in Doha. "While Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was putting himself center stage at the World Cup opening ceremony, seated next to Fifa supremo Gianni Infantino, taxi driver Hussein Abo al-Kheir was cowering in a cell, terrified that the executioner will take him next."

'While all eyes are on the football, Saudi Arabia is carrying out a horrifying execution spree, killing people like Hussein, an innocent man who was tortured by Saudi police to 'confess'."

"Qatar has rightly been criticized for its human rights record but its abuses pale in comparison to the Gulf megastate next door."

"Saudi Arabia executed more people than ever before in the first six months of this year and has now begun executing drug offenders, in large numbers and in secret, as the world focuses on its neighbor."

Read next: ESOHR: 53 people, including minors, facing death penalty in KSA

Hussein's execution, if carried out, would mark the thirteenth beheading after those of three Pakistani men, four Syrians, two Jordanians, and three Saudis.

The 144 death toll includes 81 people who were executed in a single day in March; many of them were political prisoners detained during crackdowns on protests in the Eastern Province.

Even though MBS promised to "minimize" the use of the death penalty, to only those found guilty of murder or manslaughter.

Foa added, "As a bloody year of executions draws to a close, the Saudi authorities have begun executing drug offenders again, in large numbers and in secret."

  • Mohammed Bin Salman
  • KSA
  • MBS
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, speaks with then-Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 (AP)
Politics

Iran holds the initiative after nuclear strikes, Shamkhani says

Blood stains a religious painting inside Mar Elias Church, where a suicide bomber detonated himself in al-Dwela, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after returning from a massive strike on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday (AP)
Politics

Israeli media: US-Israeli strike on Iran failed to end war

China UN Ambassador Fu Cong addresses the United Nations Security Council, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Politics

China slam US strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS