Executions are carried out in public with a sword

Executions are carried out in public with a sword. Officials state that the death penalty for women is not carried out in public. The law provides for the application of the death penalty also in the case of minors. The problem of capital punishment in Saudi Arabia is primarily linked to the violations of basic procedural standards. Reportedly, confessions obtained under torture are accepted by the court as evidence. The Saudi Government says executions are an effective deterrent and issues a grim warning against drug smuggling every time it reports a new beheading on drugs charges. After suspects are convicted their cases go through a mandatory appeals process and the death sentence must be approved by the Supreme Judicial Council and King Fahd.