Saudi Arabia recorded a new high of 356 executions in 2025, surpassing the previous year's total of 338. Analysts attribute the surge primarily to the kingdom's intensified "war on drugs," with 243 executions linked to drug offenses. This marks the second consecutive year of record-breaking executions, following a suspension of the death penalty for drug cases. Rights groups criticize the high number of executions, particularly for foreigners, as excessive and contradictory to Saudi Arabia's modern image.