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
DECEMBER 30, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: RIYADH CONCERT STABBER SENTENCED TO DEATH
A Saudi Arabian court on 29 December 2019 sentenced to death a man accused of stabbing three performers at a live show in the capital Riyadh in November, state television said.
DECEMBER 24, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: FIVE SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER JAMAL KHASHOGGI'S MURDER
Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor said on 23 December 2019 five people had been sentenced to death over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October last year.
DECEMBER 4, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: SPECIALIZED CRIMINAL COURT HANDS DOWN DEATH SENTENCES TO FIVE SHIA ACTIVISTS FROM QATIF
Saudi Arabia's Specialized Criminal Court has sentenced five anti-regime dissidents from the kingdom’s oil-rich and Shia-populated Eastern Province to death.
NOVEMBER 19, 2019Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: DEATH FOR DAESH TERRORIST FOR KILLING SECURITY OFFICIAL
The Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced to death a Daesh (so called IS) terrorist, who was convicted of committing several crimes, including killing of a security official, Saudi Gazzette reported on 17 November 2019. The Saudi convict can appe
- 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