Pubdate: Sun, 14 Sep 2003
Source: Newsday (NY)
Copyright: 2003 Newsday Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/308

SAUDI ARABIA BEHEADS MARIJUANA SMUGGLER

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- A Saudi drug trafficker was beheaded Sunday, a
Ministry of Interior statement said.

Dhaher bin Thamer al-Shimry was convicted of smuggling marijuana into
the kingdom, the statement said.

Al-Shimry was beheaded in the eastern province of Hafr al-Baten,
bringing the number of beheadings in the kingdom this year to 41, most
of them drug traffickers. At least 49 people were beheaded last year.

This conservative country follows a strict interpretation of Islam
under which people convicted of drug trafficking, murder, rape and
armed robbery are executed. Beheadings are carried out with a sword in
public.
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