Saudi Arabia executes 100 people in 2026, including 65 for drug trafficking

Of these, 65 were for drug trafficking offenses, and 43 of those were foreign nationals. Amnesty International criticized this as a "grim milestone," highlighting that foreign nationals often face unfair trials for drug-related offenses. The organization noted that at least 63 Ethiopian nationals in a detention facility may be at imminent risk of execution for similar charges.

Among the 100 executed, 48 were Saudis, 12 Ethiopians, seven Pakistanis, six Sudanese, four Yemenis, and four Syrians. In 2025, Saudi Arabia executed 356 people, 243 of whom were for drug-related offenses, a record since 1990. The death penalty for drug offenses was reinstated in late 2022 after a three-year suspension.

Amnesty International ranks Saudi Arabia third globally for executions over the past three years, after China and Iran. While rights groups criticize the kingdom's use of capital punishment, authorities maintain it is essential for public order and applied only after all appeals are exhausted.