In 2024, Saudi Arabia has surpassed its previous execution records, reaching a total of 198 lives taken as of September 28. This figure shows a stark increase from 170 executions in the previous year and surpasses the past highs of 196 in 2022 and 192 recorded in 1995. The latest executions have caused significant international concern, with Amnesty International labeling them as part of a "relentless killing spree" and highlighting that they place Saudi Arabia among the top three nations for executions globally, following China and Iran.

The Saudi Press Agency reported the recent executions through the interior ministry, confirming the rise in execution numbers. Human rights advocates have criticized the kingdom for its relentless use of capital punishment and have drawn attention to the conflicting messages of reform coming from Saudi leadership. Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general of Amnesty, condemned the kingdom for showing a blatant disregard for human life and urged the implementation of a moratorium on executions while ensuring fair trials for those currently sentenced to death.

Jeed Basyouni from Reprieve remarked that the new statistics demonstrated a retreat from any pretense of reform regarding the death penalty, indicating that previous promises of change have not only failed to materialize but may have been reversed. The statistics reveal that out of this year's executions, a significant number involved individuals convicted of terrorism and drug-related offenses. In March 2022, Saudi Arabia conducted its largest known mass execution, where 81 individuals were executed in one day, which aligns with a broader pattern of increasing death sentences that have drawn international condemnation.

Despite the kingdom's claims that executions are carried out only after exhausting all legal avenues, the rising numbers contradict statements made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who suggested in 2022 that executions had been largely eliminated. Advocacy groups have noted a decline in Western pressure on Saudi Arabia regarding its human rights practices, leading to concerns that the country feels emboldened to intensify its use of the death penalty. Experts suggest that the increase in executions may serve various purposes, including clearing prison populations or as a warning to dissenters and offenders, particularly following the recent lifting of a moratorium on drug-related executions. The United Nations has previously criticized Saudi Arabia's stance on capital punishment for drug offenses, urging the cessation of such sentences in alignment with international standards.