Saudi Arabia Sets New Execution Record in 2025 Amid International Condemnation

Record-Breaking Execution Toll in 2025

Saudi Arabia has reportedly surpassed its annual execution record for the second consecutive year, with at least 347 people executed in 2025. This figure, reported by the UK-based rights group Reprieve, exceeds the 345 executions recorded in 2024, which was itself a historic high. Other reports, including one compiled by AFP, indicated 340 executions in 2025 as of mid-December, surpassing 338 in 2024. The escalating numbers have drawn widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations.

The increase continues a concerning trend, with Amnesty International noting that 2024's total of 345 executions represented the highest number recorded in the country in over three decades. This surge places Saudi Arabia among the world's leading executioners, alongside China and Iran.

Drug Offenses Drive Execution Numbers

A significant portion of the executions in 2025 were carried out for non-lethal drug-related offenses. Approximately two-thirds of those executed this year were convicted of such crimes. For instance, out of the 340 executions reported by AFP, 232 were linked to drug offenses. This follows a dramatic increase in drug-related executions in 2024, when 122 people were executed for these crimes, a sharp rise from just two in 2023.

The surge in drug-related executions follows Saudi Arabia's reversal of a moratorium on such capital punishment, which had been announced in January 2021 but was abruptly lifted in November 2022. Human rights groups and the UN have consistently stated that drug offenses do not meet the threshold of 'most serious crimes' for which the death penalty can be imposed under international human rights law. Foreign nationals are disproportionately affected, constituting a significant percentage of those executed for drug-related charges.

International Outcry and Due Process Concerns

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reprieve, and ALQST, have vehemently condemned the escalating use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. These groups have raised serious concerns about the fairness of trials, alleging widespread due process violations, including coerced confessions and inadequate legal representation.

Critics point out that the executions contradict earlier pledges by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to minimize the use of capital punishment. The death penalty has also reportedly been used to silence peaceful dissent, with cases such as the execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser in June 2025, who was known for exposing corruption. Furthermore, there are ongoing concerns about the execution of individuals who were minors at the time of their alleged crimes, despite previous assurances to end capital punishment for minors.

Continued Calls for Moratorium

As the number of executions continues to rise, human rights advocates are intensifying their calls for Saudi Arabia to implement an immediate moratorium on all executions and to review judicial decisions in line with international fair trial standards. The consistent increase in capital punishment, particularly for non-lethal offenses, underscores a growing disregard for international human rights norms and raises profound questions about the kingdom's justice system.