Saudi Arabia Executes Syrian Drug Trafficker
August 4, 2024, 11:17 pm

Drugs

Saudi Arabia Executes Syrian Drug Trafficker

The execution of drug trafficker Khalid Ibrahim Al-Mashhour highlights the Saudi authorities' commitment to pursuing and punishing drug-related crimes.

On Thursday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the execution of a criminal in the Al-Jawf region. According to the Quranic verse, those who spread corruption on earth are to be severely punished. Khalid Ibrahim Al-Mashhour, a Syrian national, was arrested for smuggling banned amphetamine pills into the Kingdom.

Following thorough investigations, Al-Mashhour was charged with smuggling and found guilty. The court issued a death sentence as a disciplinary measure, which was upheld by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. A royal decree was issued to carry out the sentence in accordance with Islamic law. The execution was carried out on the 26th of Jumada al-Awwal 1446 AH, corresponding to August 1, 2024, in the Al-Jawf region.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that this action reflects the Saudi government's determination to combat drugs and impose the harshest penalties on those involved, based on the teachings of Islam. The ministry warned anyone considering such actions that they will face legal punishment and prayed for everyone to be guided to the right path.

In recent years, drug-related issues have become a key factor affecting the relationship between the Syrian regime and Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that the Syrian regime, through networks linked to Bashar al-Assad’s relatives and the Fourth Division, has fostered the production and trade of drugs, especially Captagon pills. These illegal activities not only threaten the internal security of neighboring countries but also strain diplomatic relations with countries like Saudi Arabia, which has seized large quantities of these drugs coming from Syria.

Saudi Arabia takes a firm stance against drugs and imposes severe penalties on those who trade in them, facing new challenges due to the influx of drugs from Syria. This situation undermines trust between the two countries and complicates bilateral relations, especially amid deep-seated political differences.

Meanwhile, the Syrian regime continues to exploit deteriorating security conditions to bolster its criminal networks, complicating regional anti-drug efforts and negatively impacting regional stability. In this context, Saudi-Syrian relations are significantly affected by the drug issue, with the Syrian regime's handling of the matter serving as an indicator of its intentions and behavior on the regional stage. With ongoing international pressures and sanctions on the Syrian regime, the drug issue remains a major point of contention affecting the future of relations between the two countries.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
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Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”