Saudi executes Nigerian for drug smuggling

Riyadh, Feb 18: Saudi Arabia today executed a Nigerian man for smuggling cocaine into the conservative kingdom, raising to 12 the number of death sentences implemented this year.

A statement on the official Saudi Press Agency said Mortalla Omar was put to death in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

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

Reuters>