Saudi executes 2 Pakistani women for drug smuggling

RIYADH, Nov 8 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia executed three Pakistanis, including two women, for drugs smuggling today, taking to 20 the number of reported executions in the conservative kingdom in 2006.

The official Saudi Press Agency said the two women were put to death in the coastal city of Jeddah for smuggling heroin into the country.

Saudi Arabia implements strict Islamic law and usually carries out executions by public beheading with a sword. The country executed 86 people in 2005 and 36 in 2004.

Officials have not explained the fall in the executions this year which follows criticism from human rights groups over the high rates in previous years.

Saudi Arabia executes convicted murderers, rapists and drug traffickers.

Reuters SSC RN2003