Saudi Arabia to behead and display political activists – ISIS pattern

State-sanctioned executions in the Saudi Arabia continue to thrive and frighten with their violence.

As a beheading is considered no longer sufficient, a punishment known as crucifixion will take place. Beheaded bodies of the executed persons will be publicly displayed for 3 days afterwards.

Three political activists, including two children currently face this fate.

Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al Nimr, a 53-year old critic of the Saudi regime, and two juveniles, Ali Mohammed al-Nimr and Dawoud Hussain al-Marhoon, were arrested during a 2012 crackdown on anti-government protests in the Shiite province of Qatif. Mr Al Nimr was sentenced to death by crucifixion on charges including 'disobeying the King' and delivering religious sermons that 'disrupt national unity'. This week, it emerged that the authorities plan to execute him on Thursday, despite protests from the UN and Saudi human rights organizations.

Two juveniles, both 17 were arrested and sentenced to death on similar charges. Both teenagers were tortured, had no access to lawyers, and faced trials that failed to meet international standards.

Saudi Arabia has carried out executions at an unprecedented rate since the coming to power of King Salman in 2015. On May 6th 2015, the Kingdom carried out its 79th execution of the year, and it is already close to surpassing its 2014 total of 87 executions.

Also read: Saudi Arabia beheads 5 foreigners