Saudi Arabia has carried out a record number of executions in 2025, putting 340 individuals to death and surpassing its own previous high, according to a tally by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The grim milestone underscores the kingdom's aggressive stance on crime, particularly its "war on drugs," even as it seeks to project a modernised image to the world.
A Record-Breaking and Sustained Surge in Executions
The latest figures confirm a worrying trend. With the execution of three individuals in the Mecca region for murder on Monday, 15 December, the total for the year reached 340. This exceeds the previous record of 338 executions set just last year in 2024. Analysts note this marks the second consecutive year the kingdom has broken its own record since rights groups began systematic documentation in the 1990s.
For years, Saudi Arabia has consistently ranked as one of the world's top executioners. The AFP notes that in recent years, the kingdom has trailed only China and Iran in the use of the death penalty. Amnesty International data confirms it held the third position globally in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The Drug War Drives the Execution Tally
The primary driver behind this surge is clear. The AFP tally, based on announcements from the interior ministry and the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), reveals that a staggering 232 of the 340 executions in 2025 were for drug-related offences. This constitutes a clear majority and is directly linked to the "war on drugs" campaign launched by the kingdom in 2023.
Saudi Arabia, a significant market for illicit stimulants like captagon, had suspended executions for drug crimes for nearly three years before resuming them at the end of 2022. The current campaign has seen heightened security, with increased police checkpoints on highways and at borders leading to massive drug seizures and arrests. Many of those executed in 2025 were likely arrested in the initial phases of this crackdown, with their cases now concluding after legal proceedings.
Global Image Versus Domestic Policy
This relentless use of capital punishment creates a stark contradiction for Saudi Arabia. The kingdom, under de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is actively pursuing a Vision 2030 reform agenda to diversify its oil-dependent economy and present a more open, tolerant face to the world. This includes massive investments in tourism infrastructure and hosting elite global sports events like the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
However, human rights organisations argue that the execution spree, especially for non-violent drug offences, severely undermines this modernising image. Harriet McCulloch of the Reprieve rights group emphasised that many of those executed are foreign nationals and not violent criminals. She stated that such executions violate international law, which reserves the death penalty for "the most serious crimes," typically interpreted as intentional homicide.
Activists contend that the continued embrace of the death penalty clashes with the societal transformation promised in Vision 2030. Saudi authorities, however, defend the practice as a necessary tool to maintain public order and national security. They assert that it is applied only after exhaustive legal processes and appeals have been completed.
The record number of executions in 2025 places Saudi Arabia's domestic judicial policies under intense international scrutiny, posing a significant challenge to its ambitious global rebranding efforts.
