SOO MAAL Posted April 5, 2005 6 Somali thieves beheaded in Saudi [World News] RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 4 : Saudi authorities beheaded six Somali nationals Monday for stealing cars and resorting to threats and intimidation in robbing people. An Interior Ministry statement said the executions, approved by an Islamic court in line with Islamic law, took place in the early morning in the western port city of Jeddah. The six were convicted of kidnapping taxi drivers and using knives and daggers to rob them and steal their cars. Monday's executions brought to 36 the number of people put to death so far this year. Routinely sentenced to death are convicted murderers, rapists, repeat drug offenders and Muslims who renounce their religion. Last year, Saudi Arabia executed 35 people, while 52 were beheaded by the state during 2003. - -- Copyright 2005 by United Press International. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
