Riyadh, August 3, 2025 — Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry announced Saturday the execution of seven individuals in the southwestern city of Najran for drug trafficking offenses.
Among those executed were four Somali nationals and three Ethiopians convicted of smuggling hashish into the Kingdom.
The ministry stated that the investigations led to formal charges, and the sentences were issued by competent courts, upheld by the Supreme Court, and carried out following a royal order.
In a stern warning, the ministry reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking, emphasizing that those involved would face the severest penalties under Islamic law, including the death penalty.
With these latest executions, the total number of people put to death in Saudi Arabia since the start of 2025 has reached 206, including one woman. Last year, the kingdom executed more than 300 individuals, most of whom were convicted terrorists and drug traffickers.
No official comment has yet been issued by Somali authorities regarding the execution of their nationals. The cases highlight ongoing concerns over consular access and legal protections for foreign nationals facing capital punishment in Saudi Arabia.
