[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Sept. 3


SAUDI ARABIA---execution

Man beheaded for murder


A Saudi man was beheaded in northwestern Saudi Arabia Friday after being
convicted of murdering a compatriot, the Interior Ministry said.

Awdah bin Musaed al-Huwaiti was found guilty of killing Afnan bin Salem
al-Atwi by striking him on the head with a tool.

He then put the body in a car and set it on fire to hide his crime, a
ministry statement reported by the official Saudi Press Agency said.

He was beheaded in the northwestern Tabuk province.

Friday's execution brings to 10 the number of people executed in the
kingdom this year. Last year at least 52 people, mostly 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.

(source: Associated Press)