Saudi executes convicted murderer

Riyadh, Feb 14 (AFP) Saudi Arabia today executed one of its nationals in Riyadh after he was convicted of murdering another man, the interior ministry said. Shbib al-Otaibi was beheaded by the sword for killing a fellow Saudi, Faleh al-Shibani, following a dispute between the pair, said a ministry statement carried by the official SPA news agency. Otaibi's execution bring to 13 the number of people beheaded in Saudi Arabia so far this year. In 2012, the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom executed 76 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The US-based Human Rights Watch put the number at 69. Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Saudi Arabia's strict version of sharia, or Islamic law. (AFP) PY 02141936 NNNN