Saudi beheaded on drug conviction

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) A Saudi convicted of smuggling hashish was
beheaded on Monday, the Interior Ministry said.

Hamad bin Mohammad alDossary was executed in the eastern city of alAhsa
said the statement, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. The ministry
did not give his age or say when he was convicted of drug trafficking.

AlDossary is the first person to be executed since the annual Muslim
pilgrimage, or hajj, ended last week. Beheadings are not carried out during
the hajj or the fasting month of Ramadan.

His execution brings to 20 the number of people beheaded this year in Saudi
Arabia. Last year, 71 people were executed.

Arab and Western human rights organizations have criticized the executions,
saying defendants often are denied due process of law and fair trials.

Saudi Arabian courts can impose the death penalty for convictions of murder,
rape and drug trafficking.