Saudi Arabia executes record 81 in one day for terrorism

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it had executed a record 81 people in one day for terrorism-related offences, exceeding the total number killed last year and sparking criticism from rights activists.

Those executed had been sentenced over plotting attacks in the kingdom — including killing “a large number” of civilians and members of the security forces, the SPA statement read.

Of the 81 people killed, 73 were Saudi citizens, seven were Yemeni and one was a Syrian national.