Saudi Arabia put two Ethiopians to death Thursday, pushing this year’s number of foreigners executed past 100 — a spike in capital punishment.
The pair were executed on drug charges, the interior ministry said, bringing AFP’s tally of foreigners put to death since the beginning of the year to at least 101.
“Khalil Qasim Muhammad Omar and Murad Yaqub Adam Siyo — both of Ethiopian nationality — were found guilty of smuggling hashish,” read the statement published by the Saudi Press Agency.
“Upon referral to the competent court, a verdict was issued confirming the charges against them and sentencing them to death.”
In total, 189 people have been executed in 2025, according to AFP’s count, including 88 Saudis.
In 2024, the 100-foreigners execution mark was only surpassed in November in the Gulf kingdom.