Saudi Arabia Hiring 8 New Executioners
Local Editor
Saudi Arabia wants to hire eight new executioners. A surge in executions has been witnessed under new King Salman's rule.
The job description published online on Monday says no special training is required from applicants. The executioners would be required to behead condemned criminals in public as well as carry out amputations on those convicted of lesser offenses.
The recruitment drive comes a day after Saudi Arabia executed the 85th person this year. The number reached in less than five months is compared to an estimated 90 executions over the whole 2014, according to Amnesty International.
Beheading of 5 foreigners in Saudi Arabia triggers outcry from human rights campaigners.
Saudi Arabian authorities do not officially explain the surge in executions.
Criminals are usually executed in Saudi Arabia by public beheading, although occasionally death by stoning or firing squad is ordered. The crimes punishable by death range from violent crimes like murder and rape to blasphemy, adultery, drug crimes, witchcraft and sorcery.
About half of those executed are Saudi nationals. Most of the others come from countries like Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Burma, Chad, Eritrea the Philippines and Sudan, according to Human Rights Watch.
In 2014, Saudi Arabia was ranked third on Amnesty International's list of countries that carry out the most executions, surpassing Iraq and the United States. Twenty-two countries are currently known to practice capital punishment.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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