Saudi Arabia sentenced 8 people to death on Saturday. In this, seven more people were hanged in the case of killing their mother in cases related to drug smuggling. This information was given by the government news agency Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

According to the SPA, four Somali and three Ethiopian citizens were sentenced to death on charges of “Hashish’s smuggling” in the southern region Najraran. All were convicted in the case related to drugs.

So far 230 people have been hanged in 2025
According to the AFP report, since the beginning of 2025, 230 people have been hanged in Saudi Arabia so far. Of these, 154 people have been sentenced to death in cases related to drugs.

2024 records can also leave 2025
According to experts, the hanging speed in 2025 can cross the 2024 figures. Last year, 338 people were sentenced to death. This increase is believed to be the result of the “War against drugs” launched in 2023.

Fans increased due to “War on Drugs” started from 2023
Analysts believe that the number of fans has increased due to the “War on Drugs” campaign against drugs. Under this campaign started in 2023, the arrested people are now being punished.

What happened so far on the hanging of drugs
2019-2022: There was a ban on hanging in drug cases for almost three years.
2022: 19 people were hanged in drug cases.
2023: Only 2 people were hanged.
2024: 117 people were punished in case of drugs.
2025: So far, 154 fans have been done only in drug cases.

Criticism and government side
Human rights activists are criticizing Saudi Arabia’s policy of constantly hanging. He says that it damages the image of the country’s “open and tolerant society”, which is part of the Vision 2030 scheme of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. At the same time, the Saudi government says that “death punishment is necessary to maintain public system and it is given only after the final appeal is rejected.”