CONVICTED NIGERIAN DRUG TRAFFICKER BEHEADED IN SAUDI ARABIA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- A Nigerian man convicted of smuggling heroin
and cocaine into the country was beheaded Monday, the Interior Ministry
said.

Issa Mohammed Adam was executed in the western city of Jiddah for smuggling
undisclosed quantities of the drug. There was no more information provided.

Monday's execution brings to at least 90 the number of people beheaded in
the kingdom this year. At least 99 people were executed last year.

Executions are carried out with a sword in a public square. Saudi Arabia
follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law, which prescribes death
sentences for murder, rape, drug trafficking and armed robbery.

The executions have been criticized by human rights organizations. They say
Saudi Arabia often fails to give the accused fair trials and that Islam
calls for limiting the use of execution as punishment.