Saudi Arabia Prepares to Execute at Least 50 for Drug Trafficking

At least 50 individuals, primarily citizens of Ethiopia and Somalia, are facing execution by beheading in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking charges, according to reports. These individuals, convicted and sentenced to death, are currently detained in Najran prison near the Yemen border. The executions could take place at any time.

According to Middle East Eye, a list of the condemned includes 43 Ethiopians and 13 Somalis. Over the past six months, six of them have already been executed. However, some prisoners have claimed they were never involved in drug trafficking.

Relatives of the prisoners have indicated that the execution process may have already begun. One anonymous prisoner told Middle East Eye, “We were told to say our final goodbyes. They said the executions would start after Eid al-Adha, and it has already begun.” Several prisoners were informed weeks ago that their executions were imminent.

Amnesty International reported that between January and April 2025, 52 people were executed for drug trafficking offenses. In 2024, Saudi Arabia carried out over 300 executions, the highest globally, raising significant concerns among human rights organizations.[

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