Saudi Arabia: Pakistani executed for heroin trafficking

Riyadh, 4 Sept. (AKI) - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday executed a citizen of Pakistan in the city of Medina for drug trafficking.

Hayat Sayed Lal Sayed had attempted to smuggle heroin in his stomach, the Saudi Interior Ministry said in a statement. A common method for so-called drug mules who transport narcotics is to swallow condoms containing the substances.

The date and place of Sayed's arrest were not given in the statement.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most active users of capital punishment, executing 79 people last year, according to Amnesty International.

The Interior Ministry in its statement said the death penalty is used to combat drug use which runs counter to Islamic beliefs.