Man publicly beheaded in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia on Monday beheaded a citizen who shot dead a compatriot after an argument, the Saudi Interior Ministry said.

Jubran bin Yahia al-Talidi was convicted of murdering Mohammed bin Jaber al-Maliki following a dispute, the statement said. He was executed in the southern town of Jizan.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which people convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape and armed robbery can be executed.

Monday's execution brought to 25 the number of people beheaded in the kingdom this year. Saudi executions are performed with a sword and in public as a deterrent, the AP reports.

The kingdom beheaded 83 people in 2005 and 35 people in 2004.