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
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: TWO MILITANTS SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER TERROR ATTACK
A Saudi court on 9 September 2020 sentenced two militants to death on charges of involvement in a 2014 attack on a Shiite gathering and links to the terrorist Daesh group, the news portal Sabq reported.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED IN JAMAL KHASHOGGI MURDER CASE
A court in Saudi Arabia on 7 September 2020 commuted the death sentences handed to five people convicted over the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: DEATH FOR THREE MEMBERS OF AL-HARAZAT TERROR CELL
A Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced on 6 September 2020 three members of a terrorist cell, known as “Al-Harazat”, to death for their involvement in several attacks across Saudi Arabia.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: SEVEN ISLAMIST MILITANTS SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER KILLINGS OF SHI'ITES
A Saudi court has sentenced seven Islamic State militants to death over a 2014 shooting attack that killed eight Shi'ite Muslims near the eastern city of al-Ahsa, state television reported on 2 September 2020.
JUNE 25, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: LONGEST-SERVING PRISONER EXECUTED AFTER COUSIN’S FAMILY REJECT PARDON
Saudi Arabia's longest-serving prisoner was put to death on 23 June 2020, following a decades-long battle for a pardon from the family of his victim, which saw his impended execution delayed.
- MAY 23, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
SAUDI ARABIA: KHASHOGGI'S SONS FORGIVE SAUDI KILLERS, SPARING 5 EXECUTION
The family of slain Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi announced on 22 May 2020 they have forgiven his Saudi killers, giving legal reprieve to the five government agents who'd been sentenced to death for an operation that cast a cloud of suspicion
MAY 3, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: ON ANNIVERSARY OF MASS EXECUTION, FAMILIES PLEAD FOR RETURN OF THEIR LOVED ONES' REMAINS
It has been exactly one year since 37 people were executed on a single day in Saudi Arabia, and none of the bodies are known to have been returned to their families, according to human rights activists, ABC News reported on 23 April 2020.
APRIL 30, 2020EgyptDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: EGYPTIAN ENGINEER ON DEATH ROW EXONERATED
An Egyptian engineer who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia in 2017 on charges of smuggling drugs to the Kingdom was acquitted of charges, his brother told Egypt Today on 26 April 2020, saying the ruling is almost final.
APRIL 29, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY FOR MINORS COVERS TERROR CONVICTS
The royal order staying the execution of minors who received final death sentences covers all individuals who were under the age of 18 at the time of committing the crime, including those sentenced to death on terrorism charges, Saudi Human Rights Commiss
APRIL 27, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA ENDS EXECUTIONS FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BY MINORS
Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered an end to the death penalty for crimes committed by minors, according to a statement on 26 April 2020 by a top official.
- APRIL 26, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
SAUDI ARABIA ABOLISHES FLOGGING AS PUNISHMENT
Saudi Arabia has abolished flogging as a form of punishment, the country's supreme court announced on 25 April 2020.
- APRIL 16, 2020Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
SAUDI ARABIA: YEMENI MAN EXECUTED FOR TERRORIST ATTACK DURING RIYADH SEASON
A Yemeni man, who was on a death row for carrying out a terrorist attack on artists performing on stage during Riyadh Season Festival, has been executed, Saudi Press Agency reported on 16 April 2020 citing a statement from the Ministry of Interior.