Four Iranians executed in Saudi Arabia as tensions between the countries escalate
Tensions between the two Persian Gulf neighbors appears to grow daily and with this latest event it looks as if Saudi Arabia and Iran are headed into a diplomatic showdown.
Photo/US Government public domain photo
Saudi Arabia executed 4 Iranians for drug trafficking causing Tehran to publicly accuse Riyadh of “inhumane actions” in carrying out the executions and warned of “repercussions” according to a report in the Independent today.
Iranian Minister of Persian Gulf affairs, Ali Reza Enayati said Saudi Arabia breached universal human rights standards and its international treaty obligations by denying the condemned citizens access to Iranian consular staff.
The Iranian news source, Mehr reports, citing Saudi sources, that at least 18 had been put to death. Up to 38 others are being held in the Saudi Kingdom accused of drug trafficking offenses.
The Independent reports that Iranians are know to carry drugs for personal use while travelling to Saudi Arabia for the annual Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Officials in Iran have previously warned pilgrims that they could be hanged or beheaded if found carrying just one gram of illicit drugs in Saudi Arabia.
The irony in Iran’s outrage is the fact that other than China, Iran carries out the most executions on the planet.
