Saudi beheaded for murdering compatriot
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – A Saudi man was beheaded yesterday in southwestern Saudi Arabia for fatally shooting a compatriot, the Interior Ministry said.
Abdullah bin Awdah al-Ahmari was convicted of shooting to death Turki bin Saeed al-Ahmari after an argument. Al-Ahmari was executed in the city of Abha, 800 kilometres (500 miles) southwest of the capital Riyadh, the ministry said in a statement reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
His execution brings to 25 the number of people beheaded in the kingdom this year. Last year, at least 52 people, most of them drug smugglers, were beheaded.
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which people convicted of drug trafficking, murder, rape and armed robbery are executed. Beheadings are carried out with a sword in public.
