Saudi Arabia Executes Two Soldiers on Charges of 'Treason'

The Saudi Ministry of Defense executed two Saudi soldiers accused of 'treason' and other crimes. The Saudi state news agency reported on Thursday, citing a statement from the Ministry of Defense, that these two officers, one a pilot and the other a non-commissioned officer, were arrested in 2017 and sentenced to death for treason and failing to protect national interests and military values. The Saudi news agency stated that they were referred to the relevant court and confessed to their charges. The statement did not provide details about these crimes. However, the Saudi army was heavily involved in a war with Houthi forces supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran in Yemen in 2017. Saudi Arabia also executed three soldiers in 2021 on charges of 'betrayal of the country' and 'collaboration with the enemy.' Saudi Arabia has come under increasing global scrutiny due to its human rights record. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called on Riyadh to halt the use of the death penalty, citing allegations of torture and unfair trials. Amnesty International announced last week that Saudi Arabia has executed 100 people so far this year (since January 2023) and 196 people in 2022, marking the highest number recorded in the past 30 years. The Iran Human Rights Organization reported that the Islamic Republic has executed 'at least 697' people in the past year. An Israeli delegation participated in a UNESCO meeting in Saudi Arabia. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are negotiating to secure necessary metals. Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is at the 'center' of an unprecedented project connecting Asia to Europe.