Saudi Arabia has carried out the death sentences of five Saudi nationals convicted of terrorism offences, the kingdom's Interior Ministry announced on Saturday.
What happened
The Saudi Interior Ministry said on Saturday that five citizens had been executed in the Eastern Province after being convicted of committing "terrorist crimes," according to a ministry statement carried on the platform X.
The ministry identified the five men as Mohammed bin Munir bin Mohammed Al Zahir, Ali bin Abdulrab Al Hussein Al Sheikh, Hassan bin Zaki bin Mohammed Al Faraj, Reda bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Abu Abdullah, and Ali bin Hassan bin Ahmed Al Rabih.
According to the ministry, the men were convicted of joining a foreign terrorist organisation and opening fire on security personnel, facilities and vehicles using firearms and grenades. They were also convicted of possessing weapons and live ammunition and of providing support to finance and carry out terrorist operations inside the kingdom.
"The executions were carried out on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the Eastern Province, the ministry said," Khaleej Times reported.
How the case reached the execution stage
The ministry said security authorities arrested the men, and investigations led to charges being brought against them. A competent court then found them guilty and sentenced them to death as a discretionary punishment under Islamic law.
The ruling became final after it was appealed and upheld by the Supreme Court, and a royal order was issued to enforce the sentences, the statement said.
Under Saudi procedure, death sentences pass through multiple layers of review: conviction by the trial court, an appeals process, confirmation by the Supreme Court, and finally a royal order before they can be carried out. The ministry said every one of those steps had been completed in this case.
The ministry's warning
In its statement, the ministry reaffirmed the Saudi government's commitment to maintaining security and upholding justice against anyone who threatens public safety and violates people's rights to life and security.
It also warned that anyone who commits similar acts would face the punishment prescribed under Islamic law.
Why it matters
The executions landed on a day of heightened security focus in the kingdom. Earlier on Saturday, Egypt's president sought emergency parliamentary authorisation to help defend Saudi Arabia if asked, as the kingdom faces attacks linked to the Houthis from Yemen. Riyadh has repeatedly said it will enforce its security laws strictly against anyone convicted of attacks on its security forces.
The announcement also drew attention to how Saudi Arabia handles terrorism cases: through its regular courts, with sentences described as discretionary punishments under Islamic law, requiring confirmation at the highest judicial level and a royal order before execution.
What happens next
The ministry's statement did not name the "foreign terrorist organisation" the men were accused of joining, nor did it give further details about when the attacks the men were convicted of took place. Saudi authorities rarely publish such details beyond the official statements.
The kingdom's courts continue to process other terrorism-related cases, and the ministry has signalled that similar sentences will be carried out against anyone convicted of comparable offences.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia executed five Saudi nationals in the Eastern Province on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Interior Ministry announced.
- The men were identified as Mohammed bin Munir bin Mohammed Al Zahir, Ali bin Abdulrab Al Hussein Al Sheikh, Hassan bin Zaki bin Mohammed Al Faraj, Reda bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Abu Abdullah, and Ali bin Hassan bin Ahmed Al Rabih.
- They were convicted of joining a foreign terrorist organisation, attacking security personnel and facilities, and financing terrorist operations.
- The death sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court, and a royal order was issued to enforce them.
- The ministry warned that anyone committing similar acts would face punishment under Islamic law.
- The executions came on the same day Egypt's president sought emergency approval to help defend Saudi Arabia amid regional attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the executions carried out?
According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, the executions were carried out on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the kingdom's Eastern Province. The ministry announced them the same day in a statement published on X.
Who were the five men who were executed?
The ministry identified them as Mohammed bin Munir bin Mohammed Al Zahir, Ali bin Abdulrab Al Hussein Al Sheikh, Hassan bin Zaki bin Mohammed Al Faraj, Reda bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Abu Abdullah, and Ali bin Hassan bin Ahmed Al Rabih. All five were Saudi nationals.
What were they convicted of?
The ministry said they were convicted of joining a foreign terrorist organisation, opening fire on security personnel, facilities and vehicles using firearms and grenades, possessing weapons and live ammunition, and supporting the financing and execution of terrorist operations inside Saudi Arabia.
Which terrorist organisation did they belong to?
The ministry's statement did not name the organisation. It described it only as a "foreign terrorist organisation." Saudi authorities have not released further details on this point.
How did the death sentences become final?
The ministry said a competent court found the men guilty and sentenced them to death as a discretionary punishment under Islamic law. The ruling was appealed, upheld by the Supreme Court, and a royal order was then issued to carry out the sentences.
What did the Interior Ministry say about future cases?
The ministry warned that anyone who commits similar acts would face the punishment prescribed under Islamic law, and said the announcement reaffirmed the government's commitment to security and justice.
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Sources
- Khaleej Times — "Saudi Arabia executes 5 nationals convicted of terrorism in Eastern Province"
- Arab News — "Saudi Arabia executes five Saudis convicted of 'terrorism-related' offences"
- Gulf News — "Saudi Arabia executes five citizens convicted of 'terrorism-related' offences"
- Arab Times — "Saudi Arabia Executes Five Nationals Convicted of Terrorism in Eastern Province"
GlobalDeskNews Staff | 17 October 2026