Saudis behead, crucify Sudanese man for robbery, rape and murder

Public beheading in Saudi Arabia (file photo)

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia beheaded and crucified a Sudanese man in Riyadh on Friday after he was convicted of raping, robbing and killing a woman, the interior ministry announced.

Abdulrahman Zine Elabidine "broke into a house strangling its owner to death while she was asleep."

He also raped her and stole 165,000 riyals ($44,000/33,000 euros) as well as gold jewellery, said the statement carried by state news agency SPA.

Arson

He then set the house on fire.

His beheading took to 20 the total number of executions in the conservative kingdom so far this year, according to an AFP tally based on official reports.

Under the AFP count, at least 76 people were beheaded in 2011, while rights group Amnesty International put the number of executions last year at 79.

The death penalty in Saudi Arabia applies strict Sharia (Islamic) law for a wide range of offences including rape, apostasy, armed robbery, homosexuality and drug trafficking, as well as murder.

Source: GulfNews, AFP, April 20, 2012

VIDEOS OF THE EXECUTION AND CRUCIFIXION:

Public beheading and "crucifixion" on scaffolding of a Sudanese convict in Saudi Arabia in the capital Riyadh, April 20th, 2012. Riyadh has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and the horrific nature of the man's crimes caused outrage in the kingdom. His execution was watched by thousands of citizens.

Video 1: Arrival of the convicted man to the execution arena in a police convoy

Video 2: The beheading (Warning: Graphic Content)

Video 3: The "crucifixion" (Warning: Graphic Content)

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