RIYADH: Pakistani citizen Nadeem Shehzad was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia on charges of heroin smuggling, which was executed today.
According to Saudi media, Nadeem Shahzad was sentenced to death today in Dammam. All legal assistance was provided to the convict and right of appeal was also given.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, it has been said that Nadeem Shahzad was arrested red-handed on the charge of selling heroin.
The death sentence was handed down after a trial lasting more than a year, which was challenged by the convict in the Court of Appeal and then the Supreme Court.
However, both courts upheld the death penalty.
Keep in mind that in Saudi Arabia, heroin trafficking is punishable by death and is usually executed by beheading.
Saudi Arabia is among the countries that impose the highest death penalty, which has been severely criticized by international human rights organizations.