A reported 12 executions have been completed in Saudi Arabia in the past 10 days for drug offences after two years without any. 

The report by human rights organisation Reprieve suggests the executions, mostly beheadings with a sword, are still ingrained in the society despite leader Mohammed bin Salman vowing to reduce the practice.

Three of those executed were Pakistani, four Syrian, two Jordanian and three Saudi, and all were for non-violent drug charges. They were all men. Another man from Jordan is believed to have been transferred to the prison wing for execution.

Maya Foa, director of Reprieve, said: “Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly touted his vision of progress, committing to reducing executions and ending the death penalty for drug offences. But as a bloody year of executions draws to a close, the Saudi authorities have begun executing drug offenders again, in large numbers and in secret.”

Crown Prince bin Salman had in 2018 told Time magazine that his administration was looking to “minimise” capital punishment, with only those found guilty of murder or manslaughter being handed a death sentence.