Saudi Arabia ends death penalty for crimes committed by minors

Kingdom has one of the world's highest rates of execution and rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the fairness of trials

Saudi Arabia has ended the death penalty for crimes committed by minors after effectively abolishing floggings, as the kingdom seeks to blunt criticism over its human rights record.

The death penalty was eliminated for those convicted of crimes committed while they were minors, Human Rights Commission president Awwad Alawwad said in a statement, citing a royal decree.