Saudis beheaded for sex assault

Three Saudi men were beheaded today after being convicted of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a young boy after a drinking spree.

The execution in the south-western Asir province brought to nine the number of people beheaded in the kingdom this year. Last year at least 52 people, mostly drug smugglers, were beheaded.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which people convicted of drug trafficking, murder, rape and armed robbery are executed. Beheadings are carried out with a sword in public.