[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Feb. 4



SAUDI ARABIA----executions

Saudi beheads 2 rapists, murderer----Saudi Arabia has executed 21 people so far 
this year



Saudi Arabia beheaded 2 convicted rapists and a murderer on Wednesday, the 
interior ministry said, bringing to 21 the number of people it has executed so 
far this year.

The 3 were all Saudis.

Abdul Kareem bin Abdul Sattar Meezi and Hashim bin Abdo Mahragi had been 
convicted of kidnapping and raping a girl and were executed in the Muslim holy 
city of Mecca, the ministry said.

"The interior ministry confirms that it is determined to maintain security, 
serve justice and implement the provisions of God on all those who attack the 
innocent, shed blood or cause disgrace," it said in a statement carried by the 
official SPA news agency.

Saudi Arabia has faced constant international criticism over its human rights 
record, including its use of the death penalty.

Separately another Saudi, Mohammed bin Ouda bin Naji al-Inzi, was beheaded in 
the northwestern Jawf region after being convicted of a fatal shooting, the 
ministry said.

The kingdom executed 87 people last year, up from 78 in 2013, according to an 
AFP tally.

Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable 
by death under its strict version of Islamic sharia law.

(source: Agence France-Presse)