Saudi Arabia executed an Afghan national on charges of drug trafficking, according to reports from Saudi media.
The execution took place on Saturday in Mecca, following a statement from Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry. The ministry identified the individual as Abdul Qayoom Shinwari, who had been found guilty of smuggling heroin into the kingdom.
“Security authorities managed to arrest the aforementioned criminal, and an investigation led to charges being brought against him for committing the crime,” the statement read. “After being referred to the court, a ruling was issued confirming the charges, and he was sentenced to death.”
This comes as Taliban officials revealed during a Sunday press conference that nearly 8,000 Afghan nationals are imprisoned in 12 countries, including neighboring Iran and Pakistan.
