The high number of executions undercuts statements by Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who told The Atlantic in 2022 that the kingdom had eliminated the death penalty with the exception of murder cases or when an individual posed a threat to many lives.

Saudi Arabia executed 101 foreign nationals in 2024, marking the largest number of foreigners put to death in a single year in the nation's history. This alarming figure, three times higher than in 2023 and 2022 when 34 foreigners were executed each year,

Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year, according to an AFP tally indicating a sharp increase which one rights group said was unprecedented.