Iran Press/ Middle East: The Saudi government said those killed were found guilty of attacking security installations, killing security officers and cooperating with what it called “enemy organizations.”
One of the convicts was crucified, according to an interior ministry statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The punishments were carried out in several locations including the Saudi capital, Riyadh, Mecca and Medina.
The execution of 37 people convicted on “terrorism” charges marks an alarming escalation in Saudi Arabia’s use of the death penalty, said Amnesty International. Among those put to death was a young man who was convicted of a crime that took place while he was under the age of 18.
"After a wink at the dismembering of a journalist, not a whisper from the Trump administration when Saudi Arabia beheads 37 men in one day—even crucifying one two days after Easter," Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted in a tweet.
"Membership in the #B_team —Bolton, Bin Salman, Bin Zayed & "Bibi"— gives immunity for any crime," he added.
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest death penalty rates in the world. It carried out one of its largest mass executions in January 2016 when 47 people were put to death, including prominent Shia leader Nimr al-Nimr, who was an outspoken critic of the Riyadh regime.
According to Amnesty, at least 104 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia so far this year. In 2018, the Persian Gulf state carried out 149 executions.
Since Prince Mohammed bin Salman first emerged onto the kingdom's political scene in 2015, he has overseen an intensified crackdown on dissent. 101
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