Saudi execution spree continues as fears rise for Jordanian on death row

Kingdom faces calls for reprieve for Hussein Abo al-Kheir, whose arrest UN deems arbitrary, after 17 executions in two weeks

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday executed two more Saudi citizens for drug offences, taking the total number of executions in the past fortnight to 17.

The kingdom had previously given a commitment it would not impose the death penalty for drug offences, but has suddenly gone back on its word, executing seven Saudi and 10 foreign nationals.