Saudi beheaded for killing compatriot, using sorcery to trick women into having sex with him

A Saudi man was executed Monday for murdering a compatriot and having illicit sex with women by using sorcery to trick them, the Interior Ministry said.

Zayed bin Ali bin Saleh al-Thabiti al-Maliki was executed in Taif, a city in western Saudi Arabia, bringing the number of people beheaded in Saudi Arabia this year to 29.

Al-Maliki was convicted or murdering and robbing Majri bin Mubarak bin Dakhil al-Aklabi and deceiving women through acts of sorcery to make them have sex with him.

The Interior Ministry provided no further details.

Saudi authorities executed 35 people in 2004, down from 52 people the year before. Most were convicted of drug smuggling.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which people convicted of drug trafficking, murder, rape and armed robbery can be executed. Beheadings are carried out with a sword in a public square.

Associated Press