Saudi Arabia on Sunday executed an Afghan citizen for attempting to smuggle heroin into the country, underscoring the kingdom’s uncompromising stance on drug-related offences.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior confirmed that the individual, identified as Pacha Qul Suleimani, was put to death in the Mecca region after being convicted of swallowing and concealing heroin with the intent to traffic it into the kingdom.
According to the Saudi authorities, Suleimani was arrested following a formal investigation, and his case proceeded through the legal system, culminating in the Supreme Court upholding the death sentence.
In a statement, the Ministry of Interior reiterated the government’s determination to protect citizens and residents from the dangers of narcotics, asserting that it would continue enforcing the strictest penalties to deter drug trafficking and distribution.
The execution reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing anti-narcotics campaign, which applies equally to both citizens and foreign nationals. However, the country’s frequent use of capital punishment has drawn sustained criticism from international human rights organizations.
Amnesty International recently reported that executions in Saudi Arabia more than doubled from 172 in 2022 to at least 345 in 2023. Advocacy groups continue to voice concern over the kingdom’s opaque judicial procedures, especially in capital cases.
Despite international scrutiny, Saudi Arabia maintains that its firm legal measures are essential to combating drug crimes and preserving societal security.
