Saudi Arabia executed three Iranian nationals in Dammam, the capital of the Eastern Province, after convicting them of smuggling large amounts of hashish into the kingdom.[1][2] The official Saudi Press Agency said the death sentences were carried out earlier in the day and had been endorsed by the Supreme Court and by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.[1] Iran Human Rights identified the three men as Bani Bakhsh, Mohammad Akram Baluch and Omid Boolideh, beheaded on alleged drug charges.[2]
Iran summoned the Saudi charge d’affaires, Ahmed al-Muwallid, to convey its dismay over the executions.[1] Deputy foreign minister Hassan Qashqavi said Saudi Arabia had not done bilateral ties justice and that the men had been denied legal representation, adding that Tehran would take proportionate diplomatic action.[1] Iran Human Rights condemned the beheadings, saying drug offences do not rank among the most serious crimes for which international human rights law allows the death penalty.[2]