Two Saudis executed on murder charges

Two Saudi nationals have been executed in the kingdom on charges of murder.

Abdullah bin Hajri bin Jabir al-Mu’allad, a Saudi national, was found guilty of stabbing to death another Saudi national, Sultan bin Dhaifallah bin Nawar al-Buqami because of a rift between them, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Meanwhile, in a second case, Ibrahim bin Nasser bin Madhel Al Harith was found guilty of shooting to death Muhammad bin Nasser bin Saad al-Sawar, a Saudi national, due to a dispute between them.

In both the cases, security authorities arrested the accused, and following an investigation, they were charged with the crime and brought before the criminal court.

The weapons used were also produced in court as evidence and the court handed out death sentences to the defendants after they were found guilty of the charges, according to SPA.

The verdicts in the both the cases were upheld by the appeals court and the Supreme Court, and a royal order was issued to carry out the executions.

Both the sentences were carried out on Thursday, Abdullah bin Hajri bin Jabir al-Mu’allad was executed in Makkah, while Ibrahim bin Nasser bin Madhel Al Harith was executed in Al Baha.

The interior ministry asserted the keenness of the government “to maintain security and achieve justice” and punish violators of such heinous crimes.

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