Bahraini drugs smuggler executed in Saudi Arabia

A Bahraini man was executed yesterday after being convicted of drug trafficking by the Saudi Authorities, it was officially announced. According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the execution was announced by the Saudi Interior Ministry, mentioning that the man was convicted of trafficking methamphetamine pills in the Eastern Province in the neighbouring Kingdom. The statement identified the man as Ammar Abdulaziz Mansour, adding that the execution came after his appeals against the verdict were reviewed and rejected by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

“The Ministry of Interior declares this to affirm to the public the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - may God protect him - to fight drugs of all kinds because of its serious harm to individuals and society, and inflict the most severe punishments on the perpetrators, deriving its approach from the law of God,” the ministry mentioned in its statement. No further information was disclosed. 

Recently, two Saudi drug regulatory organisations joined forces to control the supply of narcotics and raise awareness about the dangers of addiction. The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Dr Hisham bin Saad Al Jadhey, and the secretary-general of the National Committee for Narcotics Control (NCNC), Maj Gen Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, signed a co-operation agreement in Riyadh to monitor and control the dispensing of addictive drugs and organise campaigns to promote their safe use.

As part of the accord, the two parties will also exchange statistical data relating to drug addiction, co-ordinate, plan and implement joint awareness programmes on how to administer drugs safely and run initiatives to highlight the negative impact of misuse. In addition, they agreed to exchange advisory services and scientific advice, and co-operate in relevant joint research and studies. The SFDA and NCNC will also take part in exhibitions, conferences and workshops related to their work.