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Middle East Eye
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
At least 50 African people at risk of imminent execution in Saudi Arabia
Dozens of people from the Horn of Africa on death row in Saudi Arabia have been told that their executions could take place 'any day', inmates and their relatives told Middle East Eye. The men are all from Ethiopia and Somalia and have been convicted of drug trafficking, which carries a death sentence in Saudi Arabia. Held at the Najiran prison near the border with Yemen, inmates say they were notified several weeks ago that their sentences, typically beheadings, would be carried out soon. 'They have told us to say our goodbyes,' one of the convicted men, who preferred not to be named, told MEE. 'We were told that executions would begin shortly after Eid al-Adha, and now they have started.' New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters A list of names of the convicted obtained by MEE includes 43 Ethiopians, and 13 Somalis. According to inmates, at least six were put to death over the past month. Rise in executions Amnesty International has documented at least 52 executions for drug-related offenses in the kingdom from January to April. Keen to soften the country's conservative image as part of its Vision 2030 economic reform programme and ahead of hosting of the 2034 Fifa World Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has enacted a whirlwind of reforms liberalising some elements of Saudi society. He has also repeatedly pledged to amend the country's harsh justice system, which lists adultery, apostasy and 'sorcery' as capital offences. Saudi Arabia is among the world's leading executioners. 'All of the Ethiopians and Somali executions we documented this year were linked to hashish possession or smuggling' - Duaa Dhainy, European Saudi Organization for Human Rights However, an unofficial moratorium on capital punishment for drug-related offences enacted in 2021 has been lifted. Executions have subsequently accelerated. Over 300 people were put to death last year, a record tally for the kingdom. This year, 100 executions were documented by May alone. One possible reason for the spike, according to experts, is that additional drugs appear to have been added to the list of those meriting capital punishment. 'We've monitored death-sentence cases of numerous foreign nationals for years, and drug offences are usually linked to substances like amphetamines or cocaine,' Duaa Dhainy, a researcher with the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, told MEE. 'However, we've noticed that from 2024 onwards, many foreigners have been executed for possession of hashish, so they've expanded the offences that can lead to execution. All of the Ethiopians and Somali executions we documented this year were linked to hashish possession or smuggling.' For the family of 27-year-old Khalid Mohammed Ibrahim, the news the executions for drug offences were resuming has plunged them into heartache. Ibrahim's older brother insists his sibling is innocent and said it has been a harrowing seven years for the family since he was arrested. 'He tried to enter the country through Yemen,' Muleta told MEE. 'A border guard encouraged him to tell his jailers that he was a drug smuggler, saying it would get him sent to court and quickly cleared since there was no evidence. He believed them.' Fleeing persecution Muleta said Ibrahim was effectively forced out of his own country. Hailing from the town of Chelenqo in Ethiopia's Oromia region, he was among the students who took part in the Oromo protests of 2016, which eventually culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn two years later. Both brothers were among thousands of youths jailed for taking part in the anti-government uprising, Muleta recalled. 'We were told that executions would begin shortly after Eid al-Adha, and now they have started' - prisoner at Najiran jail, Saudi Arabia Expelled from school and unable to apply for university, Ibrahim tried to move on with life, getting married and working as a labourer for a few years. But then his wife became pregnant. 'He wanted to afford a better life for his son, but [the government] closed all opportunities for him,' said Muleta. 'That is why he left Ethiopia.' Ibrahim never lived as a free man in Saudi Arabia, as he was detained immediately upon arrival in 2018. After 11 court appearances, he was sentenced to death in October 2019. He has never had the opportunity to meet his son, who is now eight years old. Dhainy said cases like Ibrahim's typically proceed through the courts to the royal court, Saudi Arabia's highest, where death sentences are signed by the king. 'However, sometimes the documents show that the accused never had a lawyer,' Dhainy said. Trade unions from 36 countries protest against Saudi Arabia's treatment of migrant workers Read More » 'Also, there is no guarantee that the detainee understood the charges, had a translator or was aware of the content of documents, including confessions, that they are sometimes made to sign.' Muleta said his brother told him that torture and beatings are commonplace at Najiran prison. Emotionally drained, the family's torment has been worse in recent weeks. 'It has been hell for my parents,' Muleta adds. 'They are going crazy. We have tried everything, we tried begging officials for help, but no one has done anything.' Several inmates on death row at Najiran also told MEE that their families have spent years pleading for assistance from their government, including Ethiopian diplomats based in Saudi Arabia. The Ethiopian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, which has a documented history of covering up the suffering of Ethiopians caught up in the Saudi judicial system, has been criticised for its inaction on the matter. Middle East Eye has asked Ambassador Muktar Kedir Abdu and the Ethiopian foreign ministry for comment, without response. Somali pressure In Somalia, intense media coverage and campaigning by families of death row inmates has led to the Somali government openly appealing to Saudi authorities for leniency, and greater public awareness of the danger. Hiiraan Online, a Somali news site, has covered the plight of Somalis sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia extensively. 'Our reporting has helped bring national and international attention to the plight of nearly 50 Somalis facing execution in Saudi Arabia - many of them coerced into smuggling under false pretences,' Dalmar Gure, editor-in-chief of Hiiraan Online, told MEE. 'Together with pressure from families, Somali media coverage helped spur diplomatic engagement, including talks on prisoner transfers and appeals for clemency.' The Najiran prison contingent isn't the only large group of Africans on death row in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, UN officials raised concerns about the imminent executions of 26 Egyptians held at Tabouk prison in the north on similar drug offences. They condemned the sentences as a 'violation of international law'. Last week, over 30 rights groups, mostly based in the Middle East and Africa, published an open letter calling on the crown prince to commute the death sentences of over a hundred Ethiopians, Egyptians and Somalis.
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Filipino Times
Over 12,000 illegal residents arrested in Saudi Arabia in one week
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior reported the arrest of 12,066 illegal residents across the Kingdom during a one-week inspection operation from June 12 to June 18. The crackdown was carried out by security forces with help from several government agencies. Of the total arrests, 7,333 were for violations of the Residency Law, 3,060 for breaking Border Security rules, and 1,673 for Labor Law violations. These laws cover people staying in Saudi Arabia without legal documents, entering the country without permission, or working without proper permits. Authorities deported 7,238 individuals during this period, while 6,244 others were referred to their embassies or consulates to secure travel documents. Another 2,209 people were moved forward to complete their travel arrangements. The Ministry also confirmed that 1,206 people were caught trying to illegally cross the border into Saudi Arabia. Among them were 65% Ethiopians, 32% Yemenis, and 3% from other nationalities. Aside from those crossing the borders, 21 individuals were arrested for helping violators by giving them jobs, shelter, or transportation—actions that are illegal under Saudi law. The Ministry of Interior reminded the public that helping undocumented individuals in any way is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million Saudi riyals. Reports of violations can be made by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other areas.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Glenrose Xaba blows field away again to clinch maiden Durban SPAR Women's 10km Challenge
Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) won her career first SPAR Women's 10km Challenge Durban race on Sunday at Kings Park Stadium in a time of 31:54. Image: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images Glenrose Xaba was in imperious form once again as the Boxer Athletics Club runner stormed to victory in the Durban leg of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge on a sunny but chilly Sunday morning, in a time of 31:54. Ethiopian 19-year-old Diniya Abaraya did well to finish second (32:09) while her compatriot (Nedbank Running Club) Selam Gebre finished third (32:31). Hollywood Athletics Club runners Neheng Khatala (32:31) and local favourite Tayla Kavanagh (32:32) finished fourth and fifth. The top five women all dipped under 33 minutes in a fast race. Gebre had pushed defending Grand Prix series winner Xaba hard in the opening leg in Cape Town, and it looked like that would be the case again after a typically fast start by the Boxer runner. Xaba and the Ethiopian duo broke clear of the early pacesetters after 2km and the South African seemed prepared to bide her time, looking comfortable tucked just behind the Nedbank runners. Glenrose Xaba leading at the 7km mark of the Durban leg of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge on Sunday. Image: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading However, the South African road and track star hit the front near the 4km mark as the gap to the chasing pack widened. When Xaba decided to kick near the 7km mark, the Ethiopians were unable to respond, with Gabre visibly struggling as she dropped further back. Abaraya's challenge was also fading fast. Xaba didn't take her foot off the accelerator in the closing stages as she breasted the tape at the finish at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium outer fields well clear of her rivals on the out-in course. The runner, who is coached and mentored by former Olympic 800m star Caster Semenya, is looking invincible after staking an early claim for a potential series repeat. "My race today was okay from the beginning because I was planning to go with them (Gebre and Abaraya) for about 4km because the last two weeks I was racing internationally and never got so much recovery time," she said at the post-match media conference. "I'm very happy with the time that I ran today. It's a blessing to win the Durban leg of the series because I've never won it. I was always number two or three, or further back in the top 10." The top three finishers of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge Durban on Sunday at Kings Park Stadium are, from left, second-placed Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank), race winner Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) and third-placed Selam Gebre (Nedbank) of Ethiopia. Image: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images "It was wonderful weather, good conditions," Abaraya said. "We pushed one another and I'm happy with the result and I want to congratulate Glenrose for this great achievement." Gebre had looked spent at the finish, collapsing after crossing the line. "I was feeling a bit under the weather. I had a severe headache and I couldn't control myself but I had to push myself and see how far I could go," she explained. "And I managed to finish third, so it's a bonus for me and I'm very happy with the result." The evergreen Lebo Phalula also braved illness to win the veteran (40-49) age category in a time of 36:19. "Today was not a good day at the office," she admitted afterwards. "Coming back from swine flu, my body couldn't respond very well because I was very sick the last two weeks." The Boxer Athletics Cub veteran said she had considered quitting at the 5km mark but decided to soldier on. Meanwhile, rising 21-year-old star Zanthe Taljaard finished in a credible eighth place in a time of 34:02, improving on her 10th place finish in the Cape Town leg of the series. Congrats to the podium finishers at the Durban SPAR Women's Challenge 10km: Left to right: Diniya Abaraya (2nd 32:09), Glenwose Xaba (1st 31:54) and Selam Gebre (3rd 32:25). Photos by Rogan Ward@SPARGrandPrix #SPARkleAndShine🌟🌟 #SPARWomensChallenge #Twenty20Thrive — SPAR Ladies Race KZN (@SPARLadiesRace) June 22, 2025
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Glenrose Xaba wins Spar 10km race in Durban
As expected, Glenrose Xaba won the Spar Women's 10km Challenge race in Durban on Sunday in a time of 31:54 to continue her remarkable run of recent form. This is the third 10km win in succession this season for Xaba who crossed the line ahead of Ethiopians Diniya Abaraya (32:09) and Selam Gebre (32:25). Neheng Khatala (32:31) and Tayla Kavanagh (32:32) completed the top five of the race that was run under cold and windy conditions and ended at Kings Park Stadium. Reacting to her race, Xaba said she was happy with her time. 'My race was OK. My plan from the beginning was to go with them for about 4km because the past four weeks I was racing internationally and never got enough time to recover. 'Having said that, I am happy with my time and also the fact this is my first Spar Ladies win here in Durban. In the past, I always came in position two, three or in the top ten.' Glenrose Xaba has won the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge in time of 31:54 in Durban. She was followed by Diniya Abaraya (32:09) and Selam Gebre (32:25) — Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) June 22, 2025 Xaba said the cold weather did not have any negative impact on her. 'The wind that we faced was a little bit strong and it was cold out there but the race was good because we managed to give the people a good race.' Over the past few weeks, Xaba was in Europe where she is gaining international experience and is also continuing her quest to qualify for the World Championships in the 5,000m and 10,000m events in Tokyo later in the year. 'My first race was 5,000m (15:04:42) in Paris and it went according to plan because I was able to get my personal best [time]. I tried to qualify for 10,000m in the Netherlands and I ran my seasonal best. 'In that race in the Netherlands, I was the one that was pushing the pace and I came in position three. It was for experience and I learnt a lot when it comes to international track and field. I hope to get more races overseas so that I can improve my times.'
Arab News
20-06-2025
- Arab News
Attempts to traffic drugs in Jazan foiled
Saudi authorities have arrested two Ethiopians for violating border security regulations and attempting to traffic amphetamines in Jazan. Also in the province, authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle 67,500 pills subject to medical circulation regulation. Initial regulatory procedures were carried out, and the confiscated items were transferred to the appropriate entities. Elsewhere, Saudi officials in the Eastern Region apprehended a citizen involved in the sale of amphetamine pills and prescription-controlled substances. The individual has been arrested, and appropriate legal measures have been taken against him. Citizens and residents are urged to report any information about drug smuggling or related activities. Reports can be made by contacting emergency numbers (911) in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern regions, or (999) and (994) in other regions of the Kingdom. Additionally, reports can be submitted to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control hotline (995) or via email.
