SAUDI EXECUTED FOR DRUG SMUGGLING

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - A Saudi convicted of drug smuggling was
beheaded Monday in northern Saudi Arabia, an Interior Ministry
statement said.

Amer al-Roueili was executed in the province of al-Jouf, said the
statement. He was convicted of smuggling hashish and other drugs to
Saudi Arabia, said the statement. It said al-Roueili was also found
guilty of financing drug smugglers.

It did not give any other details.

The execution, carried out with a sword in a public square, brought
the number of people beheaded in the kingdom this year to 25. At least
99 people were executed last year.

Saudi Arabia's interpretation of Islamic law mandates the death
penalty for murder, rape, drug trafficking, sodomy or armed robbery.

Human rights organizations complain that the accused often are denied
access to lawyers and do not receive fair trials.