Via Times of Israel:
A Saudi newspaper says a ministerial committee is looking into formally dropping public beheading as a method of execution in the oil-rich kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where a death sentence results in beheading in a public square.
The authoritative daily al-Watan reported Sunday that the ministerial committee was considering firing squads as an alternative.
“This solution seems practical, especially in light of shortages in official swordsmen or their belated arrival to execution yards in some incidents; the aim is to avoid interruption of the regularly-taken security arrangements,” the ministerial committee said in a statement.
What next, a halt to crucifixions?
A Saudi security official says executions of seven Saudis sentenced to death by crucifixion and firing squad have been postponed for a week. He said King Abdullah would review the sentences. He met families of the seven on Sunday.
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