Saudi Arabia executes non-violent prisoners at unbelievable rates

Saudi Arabia has issued 38 executions in the last three months, according to the human rights charity, Amnesty International. The convicted crimes range from drug trafficking to murder. However, more than half of the executed criminals had non-violent crimes.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Amnesty has issued many warnings to Saudi Arabia over the country's unfair justice system, harsh punishments and large beheading rate.

"Almost half of this year's executions have actually been for non-violent drugs-related offenses," stated the charity's Saudi Arabia researcher, Sevag Kechichian to The Independent. "There's no real rhyme or reason for this upsurge in executions, and in a way this makes it all the more alarming."

Step up and fight for Persecuted Christians --

According to the Saudi authorities, the surge of recent executions is because crimes such as, rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are punishable by death under their version of Sharia law.

"The Saudi authorities want to show everyone they are strong, people can rely on them to keep the security and the safety in the kingdom," explained a diplomatic source to the AFP news agency.

Although some attribute the unprecedented brutality to the new King Salman, Saudi Arabian insiders insist the surge started long before the death of King Abdullah. They claim it is all in efforts to protect their country and fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).

"The current rate has been truly unprecedented. It would... be a stretch to say that this is an attempt to deter violence," said Kechichian.

The United Nations describes Saudi Arabia's trials as "by all accounts grossly unfair."

Keep a rosary always by your side

"Courts continued to impose death sentences for a range of crimes, including some that did not involve violence, such as 'sorcery,' adultery and drug offenses, frequently after unfair trials," expressed Amnesty's annual report.

On March 3, three more beheadings - one for rape and two for murder - brought Saudi Arabia's count to 38 this year, according to an AFP tally.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'