Saudi Arabia Executes Foreign Nationals for Cannabis Trafficking, Denies Return of Bodies

Ethiopian nationals convicted of hashish smuggling were executed in Saudi Arabia, with families reporting authorities have withheld their bodies, death certificates, and personal belongings. The case highlights the severe penalties imposed under Saudi Arabia's stringent drug laws, which classify cannabis trafficking as a capital offense. This incident underscores the disproportionate impact of harsh drug criminalization on foreign workers and vulnerable populations. The situation raises international concerns about due process, human rights, and the contrast between countries with punitive drug policies and those pursuing medical cannabis research and therapeutic applications.