Filipina maid executed in Saudi on murder charges

A Filipina domestic worker has been executed in Saudi Arabia after she was found guilty of murder, the Asian nation’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has said.

The 39-year-old woman was sentenced to death after the Saudi Supreme Judicial Council ruled that the case could not be settled with “blood money” under Sharia law, the DFA statement said.

The execution was carried out on January 29.

“The department regrets that it was not able to save the life of the Filipina,” it said.

No further details about the case were provided.

Philippines’ ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto said the woman had been provided with assistance throughout her trial, including the provision of a lawyer and consular visits.

Her family had also been informed about updates in the case.

Saudi Arabia uses the death penalty for several offences including murder, drug-related crimes and terrorism.

Earlier this week, four Yemeni nationals were executed in Makkah after they were found guilty of killing a Pakistani national who was working as a guard for a building.

Read: Four Yemeni nationals executed in Saudi for killing Pakistani guard

In October last year, the kingdom also executed another domestic worker from Indonesia, who allegedly killed her Saudi employer during a rape attack.