The Saudi Ministry of Interior issued an official statement today announcing the execution of a perpetrator in the Jazan region, after he was found guilty of promoting hashish for the second time, in a move that confirms the Kingdom’s determination to continue its fierce war against the scourge of drugs and their promoters.
Details of the crime and execution of the sentence
According to a statement from the Ministry, Saudi citizen Jaber bin Yahya bin Hussein Al-Maliki was arrested for trafficking hashish. This is his second offense. Thanks to God and the vigilance of the security forces, the competent authorities were able to apprehend him. Following investigations that resulted in charges being filed against him, he was referred to the competent court.
A legal ruling was issued against the perpetrator, confirming the charges against him and sentencing him to death by way of discretionary punishment (ta'zir) due to his repeat offenses and the danger his actions posed to society. The ruling became final after appeal and its confirmation by the Supreme Court, and a royal decree was issued ordering the execution of the legally mandated sentence. The death sentence was carried out on the perpetrator on Saturday, 28 Rajab 1447 AH, corresponding to January 17, 2026 CE, in the Jazan region.
The judicial process and effective justice
This ruling is the culmination of a fair and transparent judicial process, whereby defendants in drug smuggling and trafficking cases undergo a series of legal procedures that guarantee their rights, from the initial arrest and investigation to their trial before the various levels of the Sharia courts. The Supreme Court's upholding of the ruling reflects the precision and rigor of the Kingdom's judicial system in dealing with cases that affect national security and the safety of its citizens.
The war on drugs and protecting society
Saudi Arabia is waging a large-scale security campaign to combat drugs, which it considers a major threat to social and economic security. Saudi law imposes severe penalties on drug smugglers and traffickers, including the death penalty, particularly in cases of repeat offenses or smuggling large quantities, based on Islamic legal texts that prohibit corruption on earth.
In its concluding statement, the Ministry of Interior affirmed the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' government's commitment to maintaining security, achieving justice, and protecting citizens and residents from the scourge of drugs, which destroy minds and families. The Ministry reiterated its warning to anyone contemplating such criminal acts that they will face the deterrent legal punishment, in accordance with the Almighty's words: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive to spread corruption in the land is that they should be killed..." (Quran 5:33).
