Saudi Arabian beheaded for murdering compatriot

Saudi Arabia beheaded one of its citizens after he was convicted of murdering a fellow Saudi in the Mecca region, the interior ministry said.

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RIYADH // Saudi Arabia beheaded one of its citizens after he was convicted of murdering a fellow Saudi in the Mecca region, the interior ministry said.

Saleh bin Ali Al Shemmarani was executed for stabbing to death Ali bin Saeed Al Shemmarani after a dispute between the two, the ministry said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency.

A total of 57 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia since the start of the year, according to an AFP count.

In 2012, the kingdom executed 76 people, according to an AFP total based on official figures. Human Rights Watch has put the number at 69.

Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Saudi's version of Sharia law.