Execution of 3 terrorists in Sharqia – Ministry of Interior
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the execution of three citizens in the Eastern Province, after they were convicted of serious terrorist crimes that threatened the security and stability of society. This announcement reaffirms the Kingdom's firm approach in dealing with anyone who attempts to undermine the nation's security or target its security personnel.
Details of terrorist crimes and convicts
The ministry statement revealed the names of the convicted individuals: Hussein bin Haider bin Alawi Al-Qallaf, Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Saud Al Hamad, and Hassan bin Saleh bin Mahdi Salim, all of whom are Saudi nationals. This terrorist cell was involved in a series of criminal acts aimed at destabilizing security, most notably the killing of one security officer and the wounding of another, in addition to indiscriminate and direct gunfire targeting security headquarters and official vehicles.
Their crimes were not limited to direct targeting, but extended to include the manufacture of explosives and the possession of various weapons and ammunition, which indicates prior planning and a premeditated intention to spread corruption on earth and terrorize the innocent, which necessitated the application of the maximum legal penalties against them.
The legal and religious context of the ruling
The Ministry explained that security forces apprehended the perpetrators, and after completing the investigations and formally charging them, they were referred to the competent court. A ruling was issued confirming the charges against them and sentencing them to death by way of discretionary punishment. The sentence went through all stages of litigation, being upheld by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, and a royal decree was issued to enforce the legally mandated punishment.
This ruling is based on the texts of Islamic Sharia that prohibit corruption on earth and the shedding of innocent blood. The statement cited Quranic verses that emphasize the severity of the punishment for combatants and corrupters to ensure the safety of society.
The importance of the event and its security implications
The execution of this sentence carries broad implications both locally and regionally. Locally, it sends a clear message that the state will not tolerate any attempt to undermine its security or attack its security personnel, who represent the state's prestige and its protective shield. It also reflects the efficiency of Saudi security agencies in monitoring, tracking, and apprehending terrorist elements and bringing them to justice.
At the regional and international levels, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and to eradicating its intellectual and material sources. This commitment is part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the Kingdom to safeguard regional security, as Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East, and any threat to its internal security will be met with firmness and strength to ensure the continuation of this pivotal role.
Ministry of Interior warning
The Ministry of Interior concluded its statement by affirming the keenness of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to maintain security and achieve justice, while warning anyone who dares to commit such terrorist acts that the deterrent legal punishment will be their inevitable fate.
