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Saudi shortage of swordsmen prompts approval of executions by firing squad Saudi shortage of swordsmen prompts approval of executions by firing squad
(25 days later)
Saudi Arabia has authorised regional governors to approve executions by firing squad as an alternative to public beheading, the customary method of capital punishment in the kingdom, the Arab News reported on Monday . The English-language daily gave no explanation.Saudi Arabia has authorised regional governors to approve executions by firing squad as an alternative to public beheading, the customary method of capital punishment in the kingdom, the Arab News reported on Monday . The English-language daily gave no explanation.
But another newspaper, Al Youm, reporting the measure on Sunday, said the reason for the change was a shortage of swordsmen.But another newspaper, Al Youm, reporting the measure on Sunday, said the reason for the change was a shortage of swordsmen.
An interior ministry spokesman said he was not immediately able to comment but would look into the report.An interior ministry spokesman said he was not immediately able to comment but would look into the report.
The Arab News added that a ministerial committee was looking into scrapping beheading as a form of capital punishment. The kingdom has been criticised in the west for its high number of executions, inconsistencies in the application of the law and its use of public beheadings.The Arab News added that a ministerial committee was looking into scrapping beheading as a form of capital punishment. The kingdom has been criticised in the west for its high number of executions, inconsistencies in the application of the law and its use of public beheadings.
Capital crimes resulting in the death sentence last year included murder, armed robbery, drug smuggling, "sorcery" and "witchcraft".Capital crimes resulting in the death sentence last year included murder, armed robbery, drug smuggling, "sorcery" and "witchcraft".
Saudi Arabia has executed 17 people so far this year, Amnesty International said this month, compared with 82 in 2011 and a similar number last year.Saudi Arabia has executed 17 people so far this year, Amnesty International said this month, compared with 82 in 2011 and a similar number last year.
Al Youm reported a circular by the government's bureau of investigation and prosecution as saying the use of firing squads was being considered because some swordsmen were arriving late to the public squares where executions are normally carried out.Al Youm reported a circular by the government's bureau of investigation and prosecution as saying the use of firing squads was being considered because some swordsmen were arriving late to the public squares where executions are normally carried out.
"A shortage in sworsdmen and their unavailability in a number of areas" meant the executioners had to travel long distances sometimes to get to the place of executions, making them sometimes late, the newspaper reported the circular as saying."A shortage in sworsdmen and their unavailability in a number of areas" meant the executioners had to travel long distances sometimes to get to the place of executions, making them sometimes late, the newspaper reported the circular as saying.
The circular stated that death by firing squad was not a breach of sharia, or Islamic, law. The Saudi legal system is based on a strict version of sharia.The circular stated that death by firing squad was not a breach of sharia, or Islamic, law. The Saudi legal system is based on a strict version of sharia.
Al Youm said a firing squad had been used to carry out the death sentence against a convicted female in a case in Ha'il in north-western Saudi Arabia a few years ago.Al Youm said a firing squad had been used to carry out the death sentence against a convicted female in a case in Ha'il in north-western Saudi Arabia a few years ago.
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