Saudi Arabia executes hundreds of people every year.

Error detected

The claim asserts that Saudi Arabia executes 'hundreds' of people 'every year.' While 2024 (345) and 2025 (347–356) did reach the hundreds, this is a recent and unprecedented escalation. In earlier years such as 2020 (~27) and 2021 (~67), executions were far below one hundred. The phrase 'every year' is factually incorrect because the pattern is not consistent.

Omissions

• The claim uses the phrase 'every year,' implying a stable pattern. In reality, 2024 and 2025 were described by human rights organisations as record-breaking and unprecedented, meaning previous years saw significantly lower numbers.
• Pre-2024 annual figures could not be retrieved in full due to search constraints, but the characterisation of 2024–2025 as historic highs by Amnesty International and Reprieve strongly implies that earlier recent years fell well below the 'hundreds' threshold. For example, 2020 saw approximately 27 executions and 2021 approximately 67, both well under 100.
• The MEP cited no source, and the claim was made on 2026-05-20 — the most recent data available at that time would have been full-year 2025 figures.

Sources

• SecondaryDeath Penalty Information CenterSaudi Arabia carried out 347 executions in 2025, marking a new high and the second consecutive record-breaking year. The European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) reported this figure as of 21 December 2025.
• SecondaryAmnesty International AustraliaThe 345 executions carried out in 2024 marked the highest number of executions Amnesty International has recorded in Saudi Arabia in over three decades.
• SecondaryReprieveThe Saudi regime executed at least 356 people in 2025 — the most ever in the modern era. 240 of those executed were foreign nationals for drug crimes.
• SecondaryBBC NewsAt least 347 people have now been put to death this year, according to the UK-based campaign group Reprieve. Rights groups condemned the new record number of executions in Saudi Arabia.