Saudi Arabia Executes 5 Ethiopians Over Drug Charges

On July 30, 2026, Saudi authorities executed five Ethiopian nationals convicted of drug-related offenses, specifically the possession of hashish. Human Rights Watch reported that the trials were brief, allegedly conducted without translators or legal representation, raising serious concerns about due process. The rights group highlighted that at least 79 other Ethiopians face imminent execution on similar charges, with a total of 116 executions carried out in Saudi Arabia so far this year. The organization condemned these practices as violations of international human rights laws, emphasizing that capital punishment should be reserved for only the gravest crimes. Saudi authorities have not yet commented on these executions or the allegations of judicial misconduct.