2 executed in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday executed two Saudi men who were convicted of murder, bringing to at least 83 the number of people put to death in the kingdom this year.

The Interior Ministry said Suleiman bin Saad Ashaatane was executed after he was found guilty of shooting dead a fellow Saudi during an argument. Hassan bin Mohammad al-Omari was also executed for killing a Saudi man during another dispute.

Both executions took place in the capital Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia implements strict Islamic law, executing convicted murderers, rapists and drug traffickers, usually by public beheading with a sword.

Human rights groups say they are concerned by the sharp rise in executions this year in Saudi Arabia, which put to death 35 people last year and 53 people in 2003.