Editor’s Note:
Saudi Arabia carried out executions of 47 convicts being held for crimes ranging from militant attacks and violent protests back to the 2003 era Al Qaeda terrorist attacks in the Kingdom. The death sentences were carried out inside prisons in 12 locations on January 2, 2016. At least one of the executed men was linked to the deadly 2004 attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah. Among those put to death was prominent cleric Nimr al-Nimr. His execution has already stirred protests in the region.
This post provides links to reporting in international media and a compilation of Saudi Press Agency releases detailing the Saudi Interior Ministry statements, including a list of those put to death.
Follow this story and more on Twitter @saudius.
International Media Reporting
- Saudi Arabia Puts 47 to Death, Including Prominent Shiite Cleric – NYTimes – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes 47 terrorism consists – AlArabiya – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes 47, including Shia cleric Nimr – Al Jazeera – Jan 2, 2016
- Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Saudi Arabia executes top Shia cleric – BBC – Jan 2, 2016
- Anger as Shi’ite cleric among 47 in mass Saudi terror execution – Reuters – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes dissident Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, 46 others (Video Report)
- Death penalty for EP riot instigator – Arab News – Oct 17, 2014
- Saudi Arabia’s Killing of Leading Shiite Claric and 46 Others Sparks Outcry – NPR – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes 47 terrorism convicts – Saudi Gazette – Jan 2, 2016
Interior Ministry issues a statement on execution of a number of criminals
Riyadh, Rabi’I 22, 1437, January 02, 2016, SPA — The Ministry of Interior issued today a statement that 47 criminals were executed today in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Eastern Region, Qassim, Hail, Northern Border, Asir, Jouf, Najran, Baha, Tabuk after they were convicted by the judiciary and the sentences were endorsed by Appeal and Supreme Courts; and a royal order was issued to execute the sentences.
The statement said that Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran, ‘The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter’.
The following are the names:
1- Ameen Mohammed Abdullah Al Aqala – Saudi nationality.
2- Anwar Abdulrahman Khalil Al-Najjar – Saudi nationality.
3- Badr bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Badr- Saudi nationality.
4- Bandar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Ghaith – Saudi nationality.
5- Hassan Hadi bin Shuja’a Al-Masareer – Saudi nationality.
6- Hamad bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Humaidi- Saudi nationality
7- Khalid Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Jarallah – Saudi nationality
8- Ridha Abdulrahman Khalil Al-Najjar- Saudi nationality
9- Saad Salamah Hameer – Saudi nationality
10- Salah bin Saeed bin Abdulraheem Al-Najjar – Saudi nationality
11- Salah bin Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Hussain -Saudi nationality
12- Saleh bin Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Shamsan – Saudi nationality
13- Saleh bin Ali bin Saleh Al-Juma’ah – Saudi nationality
14- Adel bin Saad bin Jaza’ Al-Dhubaiti – Saudi nationality
15- Adel Mohammed Salem Abdullah Yamani – Saudi nationality
16- Abduljabbar bin Homood bin Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri – Saudi nationality
17- Abdulrahman Dhakheel Faleh Al-Faleh – Saudi nationality
18- Abdullah Sayer Moawadh Massad Al-Mohammadi – Saudi nationality
19- Abdullah bin Saad bin Mozher Shareef – Saudi nationality
20- Abdullah Saleh Abdulaziz Al-Ansari – Saudi nationality
21- Abdullah Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Muqrin – Saudi nationality
22- Abdullah Musalem Hameed Al-Raheef – Saudi nationality
23- Abdullah bin Mua’ala bin A’li – Saudi nationality
24- Abdulaziz Rasheed bin Hamdan Al-Toaili’e – Saudi nationality
25- Abdulmohsen Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Yahya – Saudi nationality
26- Isam Khalaf Mohammed Al-Mothri’e – Saudi nationality
27- Ali Saeed Abdullah Al Ribeh – Saudi nationality
28- Ghazi Mohaisen Rashed – Saudi nationality
29- Faris Ahmed Jama’an Al Showail – Saudi nationality
30- Fikri Ali bin Yahya Faqih – Saudi nationality
31- Fahd bin Ahmed bin Hanash Al Zamel – Saudi nationality
32- Fahd Abdulrahman Ahmed Al-Buraidi – Saudi nationality
33- Fahd Ali Ayedh Al Jubran – Saudi nationality
34- Majed Ibrahim Ali Al-Mughainem – Saudi nationality
35- Majed Moeedh Rashed – Saudi nationality
36- Mishaal bin Homood bin Juwair Al-Farraj – Saudi nationality
37- Mohammed Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Muharib – Saudi nationality
38- Mohammed Ali Abdulkarim Suwaymil – Saudi nationality
39- Mohammed Fathi Abula’ti Al-Sayed – Egyptian nationality
40- Mohammed bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Shioukh – Saudi nationality
41- Mostafa Mohammed Altaher Abkar – Chadian nationality
42- Moaidh Mufreh Ali Al Shokr- Saudi nationality
43- Nasser Ali Ayedh Al Jubran – Saudi nationality
44- Naif Saad Abdullah Al-Buraidi – Saudi nationality
45- Najeeb bin abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Bohaiji – Saudi nationality
46- Nimr Baqer Ameen Al-Nimr- Saudi nationality
47- Nimr Sehaj Zeid Al-Kraizi – Saudi nationality
The above-mentioned criminals committed the following crimes:
First: Embracing Takfiri beliefs (accusing others of being infidels), which include doctrines of ‘Khawarj’, (a misguided and violent sect) against the Holy Quran, Prophetic Sunnah and consensus of righteous predecessors. They promoted their ideologies through deceitful methods and various means. These individuals also were part of terrorist organizations, implementing criminal plans through: bombing ‘Al-Hamra Housing Complex’, ‘Vinnell Housing Complex’ as well as ‘Ishbilia Housing Complex’ in Eastern Riyadh on 11\3\1424, storming complex of ‘Arabian Company for Petroleum Investment’ (APICORP), ‘Petroleum Center Company’ and ‘AL-Waha Housing Complex’ in Khobar Province, Eastern Region, on 11\4\1425H by using hand-made bombs and various fire arms, killing and wounding a number of citizens, security men and residents and mutilating their bodies, targeting a number of housing complexes in different parts of the Kingdom with initiating of acts of bombing, poisoning the public water supply, kidnapping a number of residents with the intention of killing them and mutilating their bodies, manufacturing and smuggling explosions into the Kingdom, possessing home-made and exported arms and bombs as well as possessing highly explosive materials, grenades and rockets.
Second: Targeting sites of the security and military agencies by: bombing the building of ‘Public Traffic Administration’ in Riyadh city on 2\3\1425H, two bombings targeting of headquarters of ‘the Ministry of Interior’ and ‘Emergency Forces’ on 17\11\1425H which led to the martyrdom of a number of security men and citizens. The commencement of targeting ‘King Khaled Air Base’ in Khamis Mushait Province, ‘Prince Sultan Air Base’ in Kharj Province, ‘Civil Airport’ in Arar Province and a number of kidnapping and killing operations against security forces; calling for the shooting of security forces by fire arms and throwing Molotov bombs at them while they performed their duties in maintaining society’s security and protecting its interests. They have also supported and encouraged armed sabotage acts on the streets and public areas.
Third: Their plans to damage the nation’s economy and harm the Kingdom’s status, its relations and interests with brotherly and friendly countries by: storming ‘the U.S. Consulate’ in Jeddah Province on 24\10\1425H which led to the martyrdom of four members of the security forces, targeting ‘Buqaia Refinery ‘ in Buqaia Province on 25\1\1427H, which resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the security forces; the commencement of targeting a number of foreign embassies and consulates, bombing ‘Saudi Aramco’ and a number of petroleum facilities. They also have initiated a number of armed robberies on banks and commercial stores, committed a number of fraud crimes which resulted in collecting large amounts of money and utilizing it internally and externally for money laundering purposes for financing terrorism and terrorist operations. They were also calling for chaos and provoking acts of violence, inciting disorder and anarchy, and spreading terrorist propaganda, and encouraging terrorist activities in the brotherly states and supporting these acts publically, and violating public law.
Interrogations resulted in charging these mentioned individuals with the involvement in committing these crimes and they were convicted with the responsibility of carrying them out. The judges issued legal rulings, confirming their involvement and responsibility in the above crimes. The following verdicts have been issued on executing them.
The Ministry of Interior, as it announced this, stresses that this country which adopted the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah since its establishment as a constitution and an approach will not hesitate to deter anyone aiming to threaten its national security and the security of its citizens and residents on its territories, disrupt the public order or try to prevent any official body from performing its duty in maintaining the society’s security and interests, call for, secretly or publicly, for disorder and conflict, participate in terrorist acts, call for division and disrupting the society’s unity, and threaten the social peace or violate its security and public law. The Kingdom is going forward firmly and strictly in maintaining its security and stability as well as achieving justice through implementing the Sharia law against those who violate Shariah law, harm the innocent, and damage their proprieties. At the same time, the Ministry of Interior warns that any one tries to act such these criminal terrorist crimes will have the same legal punishment, Allah says in the Holy Quran, ‘And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take! ‘
–SPA
Interior Ministry’s press statement on execution of a number of criminals
Riyadh, Rabi’I 22, 1437, January 02, 2016, SPA — The Ministry of Interior issued today a statement on the execution of 47 criminals in the Kingdom’s various regions.
Following is the text:
On behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Interior would like to announce the following statement:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in exercise of its full sovereignty, which is respected by international law, and in enforcement of its national laws and judgments issued by criminal courts based on Shariah (Islamic Divine Law) which is in fact the basic source of legislation in the country as stated by the Basic Law of Governance stating that the Holy Quran and Prophet’s Sunnah are the Constitution of the Kingdom, and that Shariah law is the sole authority over the judiciary and legislations including those providing all souls and properties with full safety and security, and applying deterring judicial punishments against those who were convicted in terrorist crimes against innocent people, properties, and security forces, spreading disorder and exposing national security and safety to dangerous threats , a number of terrorists have been executed due to their convections by Saudi Criminal Courts after they stood fair trials with full respect to due process under Islamic criminal law.
Those verdicts decided that the convicted criminals were found guilty of committing Banditry crimes since those criminals committed a variety of terrorist attacks and crimes such as targeting civilians including Saudis and foreigners, officers including military and security personnel, officials, military and security bases, diplomatic and consulate missions and their personnel protected by all Islamic sacred texts, and both national and international laws.
The perpetrators were involved in a score of terrorist attacks which resulted in deaths of innocent lives and destructions of private, public, and military properties which are indicated as follows:
1-Bombing ‘Al-Hamra Housing Complex’, ‘Vinnell Housing Complex’ as well as ‘Ishbilia Housing Complex’, located in the east of Riyadh on 11\3\1424.
2- Storming the complex of ‘Arabian Company for Petroleum Investment’ (APICORP), ‘Petroleum Center Company’, and ‘AL-Waha Housing Complex’ in Khobar Province, located in the Eastern Region, on 11\4\1425H by using hand-made bombs and various fire arms, killing and wounding a number of citizens, security men and residents and mutilating of the victims.
3- Targeting a number of housing complexes in different parts of the Kingdom with initiating of acts of bombing.
4- Poisoning and sabotaging public water supply.
5- Kidnapping a number of residents with the intention of killing them and mutilating their bodies.
6- Manufacturing and smuggling explosions into the Kingdom.
7-Possessing home-made and exported arms and bombs as well as possessing highly explosive materials, grenades and rockets.
8-Targeting sites of the security and military agencies such as the bombing of the building of ‘Public Traffic Administration’ in Riyadh on 2\3\1425H.
9- Bombings targeting of headquarters of both ‘the Ministry of Interior’ and ‘Emergency Forces’ on 17\11\1425H which led to the martyrdom of a number of security men and citizens.
10-Trying to targeting ‘King Khaled Air Base’ in Khamis Mushait Province, ‘Prince Sultan Air Base’ in Kharj Province, and ‘Civil Airport’ in Arar Province.
11-Trying to commit kidnapping and killings against security forces.
12-Calling for the shooting of security forces by fire arms and throwing Molotov bombs at them while they performed their duties in maintaining society’s security and protecting its interests. Those terrorists also supported and encouraged armed sabotage acts on the streets and public areas.
13-Setting plans to damaging and sabotaging the nation’s economy, causing harm to the country status, its relations and interests with brotherly and friendly countries by storming ‘the U.S. Consulate’ in Jeddah Province on 24\10\1425H which led to the martyrdom of four members of the security forces.
14-Targeting ‘Buqaia Refinery ‘ in Buqaia Province on 25\1\1427H, which resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the security forces.
15-Setting plans to targeting a number of foreign embassies and consulates , ‘Saudi Aramco Company ‘ and a number of petroleum facilities.
16-The criminals also initiated a number of armed robberies on banks and shops, and committed a number of fraud crimes which resulted in collecting large amounts of money and utilizing it locally and internationally for money laundering purposes in order to financing terrorism and terrorist operations.
17-In addition, they were also calling for chaos and provoking acts of violence, inciting disorder and anarchy, spreading terrorist propaganda, encouraging terrorist activities inside a brotherly state, expressing a public support to these acts, and violating public law.
Since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly believes that crime of terrorism ( called crime of Banditry under Islamic law) is a heinous crime against humanity, and major source of instability and a great threat to national and international peace and security, the Saudi Government saves no efforts to combating terrorism by bringing those terrorists to justice. Moreover, by bringing those terrorists to justice, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would like to warn all those who may be involved in such crimes that they will be found accountable for their crimes.
–SPA
Senior Scholars Council on implementation of judicial rulings against criminals
Riyadh, Rabi’I 22, 1437, Jan 2, 2016, SPA — The General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars emphasized that the implementation of judicial rulings against criminals has been proven legally in accordance with what has been included in the statement issued today by the Ministry of the Interior, these judicial rulings acquired the full investigative status through three levels of litigation that protect the accused, ensure their rights and justice, noting that is as an enforcement as ordained by Sharia and an achievement of one of its great objectives, which aim to save the nation’s system, which can’t be protected in the time of large number of killings, strife and aggression, and that this not be a reality unless it is realized by Sharia and carried out by the government.
In its statement issued today, the General Secretariat of Council of Senior Scholars said: Allah Almighty has blessed this country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by making its ruling authority is based on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of His Messenger, (peace be upon him), and that its judiciary is based on the Islamic law, and that judges are independent with no authority may affect them except that of the provisions of the Islamic Sharia and the regulations in force and no one can interfere in the judiciary.
It also pointed out that what does the Kingdom, the country of the Two Holy Mosques witness of safety, security, stability and prosperity is thanks to Allah Al-Mighty and the application of Sharia.
It stressed that the implementation of court rulings against those criminals is the fulfillment of Allah’s satisfaction by applying His ordained law, then it is a preservation and protection of the security of the country of the Two Holy Mosques and its stability and preservation the gains of its people, topped by the security of its citizens, residents and visitors of pilgrims and others, and to deter whoever may seek to commit such aggressive crimes which disturb the security of the society and the system of the group and as Allah Almighty said: ‘The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.’
–SPA
READ MORE about this topic:
- Saudi Arabia Puts 47 to Death, Including Prominent Shiite Cleric – NYTimes – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes 47 terrorism consists – AlArabiya – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes 47, including Shia cleric Nimr – Al Jazeera – Jan 2, 2016
- Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Saudi Arabia executes top Shia cleric – BBC – Jan 2, 2016
- Anger as Shi’ite cleric among 47 in mass Saudi terror execution – Reuters – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes dissident Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, 46 others (Video Report)
- Death penalty for EP riot instigator – Arab News – Oct 17, 2014
- Saudi Arabia’s Killing of Leading Shiite Claric and 46 Others Sparks Outcry – NPR – Jan 2, 2016
- Saudi Arabia executes 47 terrorism convicts – Saudi Gazette – Jan 2, 2016
