Saudi executes three Pakistanis for drug smuggling

RIYADH, Nov 29 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia executed three Pakistani drug smugglers today, taking to 29 the number of executions reported by the conservative Muslim kingdom so far this year.

The official SPA news agency said the three men were put to death in the coastal city of Jeddah after being convicted of smuggling heroin.

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

Officials have not explained the fall in the number of executions this year, which follows criticism by human rights groups of the high number in previous years.

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

REUTERS PDM VV1634