Saudi Arabia executes Saudi man for murder-agency

RIYADH, Jan 16 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia executed a Saudi man today for shooting and killing a fellow citizen, in the second execution reported in the conservative kingdom this year.

Abdullah bin Ahmad al-Zahrani was put to death in the eastern city of Dammam for murdering Saad al-Saadi, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia follows strict Islamic law and executions are usually carried out by public beheading with a sword.

Convicted murderers, rapists and drug traffickers are liable for the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, but international human rights groups often criticise the desert kingdom over what they regard as draconian punishments.

The state executed 34 people in 2006, 36 in 2005 and 86 in 2004.

Reuters SP VV1804