Saudi Arabia
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- absolute monarchy
- CONSTITUTION
- Sharia applies; a fundamental law establishing the rights and responsibilities of the government was introduced in 1992
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on Sharia law but some secular norms have been introduced
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- Advisory Council, appointed by the king for 4 years
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Council of Justice
RELIGIONS
100% Muslims
From the country
- JANUARY 8, 2003Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
The executive committee of the Spanish Federation of...
The executive committee of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities (Federación Española de Entidades Religiosas Islámicas - FEERI) formally requested Saudi Arabia to abolish death-by-stoning
- JANUARY 1, 2003Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic...
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law
- JANUARY 1, 2003Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Many of the announced Saudi executions are for murder...
Many of the announced Saudi executions are for murder and rape, but a wide range of violent and non-violent crimes are also punished by decapitation, including: armed robbery; drug-trafficking; witchcraft; adultery; sodomy; same-sex relations; highway r
- JANUARY 1, 2003Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Executions take place in public in the conservative...
Executions take place in public in the conservative kingdom, and by beheading
- JANUARY 1, 2003Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
In 2002, Saudi Arabia allowed for the first time access...
In 2002, Saudi Arabia allowed for the first time access to a UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judiciary
- JANUARY 1, 2003Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
In 2002, Hands Off Cain counted 49 executions, including...
In 2002, Hands Off Cain counted 49 executions, including at least one woman
- DECEMBER 17, 2002Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Three Saudi men were beheaded in public with a sword...
Three Saudi men were beheaded in public with a sword after being found guilty of an armed robbery
- DECEMBER 13, 2002Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Badr bin Ghazi al-Utaibi was publicly beheaded for murder
Badr bin Ghazi al-Utaibi was publicly beheaded for murder
- DECEMBER 4, 2002Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi King Fahd commuted the death sentences of 17...
Saudi King Fahd commuted the death sentences of 17 Saudis convicted of rioting, ordering them to instead serve 10 years in jail, the Interior Ministry said
- NOVEMBER 1, 2002Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia beheaded two Saudi men convicted of murder,...
Saudi Arabia beheaded two Saudi men convicted of murder, the official Saudi Press Agency reported
- OCTOBER 28, 2002Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi Arabia executed a Palestinian man, identified...
Saudi Arabia executed a Palestinian man, identified as Emad al-Deeb, who burnt his father to death after an argument, the Interior Ministry said
- OCTOBER 28, 2002Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
UN's special rapporteur of the Commission on the independence...
UN's special rapporteur of the Commission on the independence of judges and lawyers Dato'Param Cumaraswamy has expressed appreciation for facilitating his mission, and said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had shown utmost cooperation with him, as well as expr