Egyptian executed in Saudi Arabia for murder

RIYADH, Nov 28 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia executed an Egyptian man today for murder, taking to 28 the number of executions reported in the conservative Muslim kingdom so far this year.

Official news agency SPA said Rajeh Waziri was put to death in Jazan in the far southwest of the kingdom for stabbing and bludgeoning to death a Saudi national.

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

Officials have not explained a decline in executions in the first half of this year, which follows criticism by human rights groups of the high rates in previous years.

Convicted murderers, rapists and drug traffickers are subject to the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

Reuters SSC RN1830