Saudi Arabia executes Pakistani for drug peddling

RIYADH, Dec 16 (Reuters) A Pakistani man was executed in Saudi Arabia today for peddling heroin, bringing to 34 the number of executions reported by the conservative kingdom this year.

The official Saudi Press Agency said Nur-eddin Ghulam Suroor was beheaded in Jeddah.

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

Human rights groups often criticise Saudi Arabia over the beheadings.

Convicted murderers, rapists and drug traffickers are liable for the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

REUTERS MS HS1809