A Nigerian Beheaded In Saudi For Drugs Trafficking

Saudi Authorities on Friday beheaded a Pakistani man and a Nigerian national convicted of drug trafficking, the Interior Ministry said.

In separate statements carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said that Jahanqir Khan Muhannad, from Pakistan, was caught while smuggling heroin into the kingdom, while Noureldin Muhammad, a Nigerian, was arrested as he tried to bring in cocaine.

Both men were beheaded in the western seaport city of Jiddah, according to the statements.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape and armed robbery are executed in public with a sword.

Friday's executions brought to 106 the number of people beheaded in the kingdom this year, according to an Associated Press count. Saudi Arabia beheaded 38 people last year and 83 people in 2005.

***INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE