Executions in Saudi Arabia hit a record high in 2024, with 345 people executed last year and 180 in the first half of this year, according to Amnesty International.

Activists highlight the kingdom’s growing use of the death penalty for nonviolent drug offenses, which make up about two-thirds of recent executions.

Many foreign nationals on death row face unfair trials and lack legal representation, the Associated Press has reported.

Despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 claim that executions are limited to homicide cases, Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s top executioners, second only to China and Iran.

Families of the condemned live in fear, often unaware of when executions may occur.

Written by B.C. Begley