Saudi Arabia executes record 340 in 2025 amid drug war

• Saudi Arabia executed 340 people in 2025, setting a new record for the second consecutive year.
• The majority of 2025 executions, 232, were for drug-related offenses, linked to a "war on drugs" launched in 2023.
• Saudi Arabia ranks third globally in executions, behind China and Iran.
• Rights groups criticize the high number of executions, especially of foreign nationals, as it contradicts the kingdom's modern image initiatives.
• The country resumed drug-related executions in late 2022 after a three-year suspension.

Why It Matters: Saudi Arabia's record executions, many for drug offenses, spark global human rights concerns.