Saudi Arabia executes five people on terrorism charges

DUBAI - Saudi Arabia carried out the execution of five individuals on Saturday for terrorism offenses, according to the Ministry of Interior. This brings the total number of death sentences carried out in the country this year to 188, as per an AFP tally based on official statements. The five Saudi nationals convicted of "joining a foreign terrorist organization," attacking security forces, and providing support for "terrorist operations within the kingdom" were executed in the Eastern Province, which is home to the majority of Saudi Arabia's Shia Muslim minority.

This minority group has long expressed feelings of marginalization in the Sunni-majority nation. Since January, the kingdom has put 15 people to death after terror convictions, with most of these executions occurring in the eastern region, compared to 40 in the previous year. The latest executions come at a time when Saudi Arabia is facing frequent missile and drone attacks from the Houthis in Yemen, a country where Riyadh militarily supports the internationally recognized government in its ongoing civil war against the Iran-backed group.

Amnesty International reports that Saudi Arabia was the world's third-most prolific executioner between 2022 and 2025, behind China and Iran. The kingdom views the death penalty as essential to maintaining public order and maintains that it is only implemented after all appeals have been exhausted.