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
MARCH 8, 2023Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: SAUDI MAN EXECUTED IN EASTERN PROVINCE OVER TERRORISM OFFENSES
A Saudi national in the Eastern Province was executed for terrorism offenses, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on 7 March 2023.
MARCH 6, 2023Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: TWO NATIONALS EXECUTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT, MURDER OFFENSES
Saudi Arabia has executed two nationals for sexual assault and murder offenses, the interior ministry said on 4 March 2023.
FEBRUARY 16, 2023Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: TWO SHIITE CITIZENS SENTENCED TO DEATH
Two Shiite citizens were sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia on 7 February 2023 for allegedly collaborating with terrorist groups.
FEBRUARY 2, 2023Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: DEATH PENALTY USE HAS ALMOST DOUBLED UNDER RULE OF MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN
The use of the death penalty under the rule of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his father, King Salman, has almost doubled annually since they rose to power, according to a new report seen by ABC News.
JANUARY 15, 2023Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: PROSECUTORS SEEK DEATH PENALTY FOR ACADEMIC OVER SOCIAL MEDIA USE
A prominent law professor in Saudi Arabia is facing the death penalty for alleged crimes including having a Twitter account and using WhatsApp to share news considered “hostile” to the kingdom, according to court documents seen by the Guardian.
DECEMBER 6, 2022Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: SIX MORE POLITICAL DISSIDENTS SENTENCED TO DEATH
A human rights organization says the Saudi judiciary has sentenced six more prisoners of conscience to death, Press TV’s website reported on 5 December 2022.
NOVEMBER 23, 2022Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: 17 EXECUTED FOR DRUG-RELATED OFFENCES
Since 10 November 2022, Saudi Arabia has executed 17 men for what were termed drug and contraband offences, with three taking place on 21 November.
NOVEMBER 21, 2022Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS
A Saudi national has been sentenced to death for smuggling banned amphetamine tablets near the country’s northern border with Jordan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on 20 November 2022 citing the Ministry of Interior.
OCTOBER 11, 2022Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: YOUNG MEN FACE IMMINENT EXECUTION DESPITE ASSURANCES ON RE-SENTENCING JUVENILES TO PRISON TERMS
At least three young men in Saudi Arabia are at imminent risk of execution after an appeal court confirmed their sentences between June and October this year, Amnesty International said on 10 October 2022.
OCTOBER 10, 2022Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA: TRIBESMEN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR RESISTING DISPLACEMENT
A Saudi court on 2 October 2022 sentenced three members of the Howeitat, a tribe forcibly ejected to make way for the $500 bn Neom megacity, to death for resisting displacement, a UK-based rights group has reported.
- OCTOBER 3, 2022Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTY
SAUDI ARABIA: MAID EXECUTED FOR STABBING A SLEEPING GIRL TO DEATH
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 2 October 2022 executed an African maid who was convicted of murdering a child.
JUNE 27, 2022Saudi ArabiaDEATH PENALTYSAUDI ARABIA FREES YOUNGEST PRISONER WHO FACED EXECUTION
Saudi authorities have released Murtaja Qureiris, who was once considered to be the kingdom's youngest political prisoner, a human rights group confirmed on 24 June 2022.