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Journalism of Courage
RIYADH, May 5: An Indian convicted of smuggling heroin was beheaded today, and the government warned that any others caught trafficking would meet the same fate.
The Interior Ministry statement did not say when or where Abdul-Samad Abu Bakr was arrested or how much he was smuggling.
Abu Bakr8217;s execution raises to 26 the number of people beheaded this year in Saudi Arabia. Last year, 71 people were executed.
Saudi Arabia, a conservative muslim country, is cracking down on smugglers to deal with what it sees as a growing drug problem. The Ministry warned others would receive a death sentence as well.
In Saudi Arabia, convicts are beheaded in public with a razor-sharp sword. Human rights organisations have criticised the executions, saying defendants often are denied due process and fair trials.
Saudi Arabia8217;s Islamic courts can impose the death penalty for drug smuggling, rape, murder and crimes that endanger the public.
