SAUDI ARABIA: AFGHAN MAN EXECUTED IN MECCA FOR SMUGGLING HEROIN

Saudi Arabia's interior ministry announced on April 13, 2025 the execution of Afghan national Badshah Qul Suleimani in the Mecca region, after he was convicted of attempting to smuggle heroin into the kingdom.
According to the ministry, Suleimani was apprehended by border security while trying to bring the drug into the country by ingesting it - a method commonly referred to as "body packing".
Following an investigation, he was formally charged, detained, and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court. A royal order was subsequently issued to carry out the execution.
In a statement, the ministry said the execution reflects the country's firm stance against narcotics, emphasising its commitment to "protecting the safety of citizens and residents from the scourge of drugs".
It added that the government would continue to impose the strictest penalties against drug traffickers and distributors, citing the "severe harm" such substances inflict on individuals, youth, and society at large.
"Anyone who commits this crime will face the legal punishment prescribed by law," the ministry warned.
The execution comes amid ongoing criticism of Saudi Arabia's frequent use of capital punishment. Human rights groups have accused Riyadh of using the death penalty to suppress dissent and silence protests.
According to Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia dramatically increased its number of executions in 2024, with the toll rising from 172 in 2023 to at least 345 last year.