Saudi Arabia: Surge in executions

Human rights groups say there has been a surge in the number of executions in Saudi Arabia; 22 people were executed between 4 August and 22 August, compared to 17 announced executions between January and July, according to Amnesty International. Some of those executed have been convicted of non-violent offences; Amnesty said four members of the same family were beheaded for “receiving drugs”, and that many of those convicted said they had been tortured into confessing crimes. Amnesty says more than 2,000 people were executed in Saudi Arabia between 1985 and 2013.