RIYADH, Aug. 3 -- Saudi Arabia executed eight people in a single day, marking a sharp increase in the kingdom's use of capital punishment, particularly for drug-related crimes. The executions took place on Saturday in the southern region of Najran.

Among those executed were four Somali nationals and three Ethiopians, all convicted of smuggling hashish into Saudi Arabia. Additionally, one Saudi man was put to death after being found guilty of murdering his mother, authorities confirmed through official statements.

Since the beginning of 2025, Saudi Arabia has carried out 230 executions, with 154 of them linked to drug offences. This year's pace puts the kingdom on track to surpass the 338 executions recorded in 2024. The government resum...