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
- OCTOBER 1, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Pakistani national executed - Interior Ministry: "Keen on combating narcotics"
1 October 2018: Zahed Al-Rahman Shafie Al-Rahman executed for heroin smuggle
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: MORE THAN 130 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXECUTED SO FAR IN 2019
Saudi Arabia has executed 134 people so far this year, including six who were kids when they were arrested, The Death Penalty Project revealed in a report presented at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
JULY 19, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: PRINCE SAVES DEFENDANT ON DEATH ROW FROM EXECUTION
A member of the Saudi royal family, who is also the governor of the Saudi region of Asir, has garnered many observers’ praise when he intervened to stop the execution of one convict who was sentenced to death on a charge of murder.
JUNE 18, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: TEENAGER ARRESTED AT 13 IS SAVED FROM THE DEATH PENALTY, ACCORDING TO A SOURCE
Murtaja Qureiris, an 18-year-old man who had been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, was saved from execution and sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to a source familiar with the matter.
MAY 2, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: AFTER 10 YEARS IN PRISON, INDONESIA MAIDS ON DEATH ROW FOR WITCHCRAFT RELEASED
Two Indonesian domestic workers sentenced to death for practising witchcraft against their employers' families in Saudi Arabia returned home on 24 April 2019 after their sentences were commuted, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said.
APRIL 29, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: BODY OF CRUCIFIED 'CRIMINAL' WAS PUT ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOLLOWING 37 EXECUTIONS
The body of a crucified criminal was put on public display in Saudi Arabia after the execution of 37 nationals in one day, according to local media reports.
APRIL 27, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: 37 EXECUTED IN ONE DAY FOR TERRORISM
Saudi Arabia executed 37 people on 23 April 2019 after they had been sentenced to death for terrorism-related crimes.
- APRIL 17, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Saudi citizen beheaded in Western Province
17 April 2018: Mohammad al-Khalidi executed for murder
APRIL 17, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: TWO INDIAN NATIONALS BEHEADED FOR MURDER
Two Indian nationals on 28 February 2019 were beheaded by authorities in Saudi Arabia for murdering a fellow Indian, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed.
- APRIL 5, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
Crown Prince bin Salman announces intention to decrease number of executions
5 April 2018: Time Magazine interview
- APRIL 2, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
A Pakistani executed for drug
18 March 2019: Qul Rahman Saifur Rahman (or Rakhman Sifur Rehman), a Pakistani national, was executed for smuggling a quantity of heroin.
- APRIL 2, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
A Pakistani executed for drug
21 March 2019: Nur al-Rahman Qul Faqir (or Nawur al-Rahman Fakir), a Pakistani national, was executed for smuggling heroin.