Indian beheaded for murder

An Indian man convicted of murdering a compatriot was beheaded in Saudi Arabia today.

Malaya Maroti Bajantra killed Hakim Ahmed Pasha after striking him on the head with a rock and slashing his throat before robbing him, an Interior Ministry statement said.

The execution brings to 21 the number of people beheaded here this year. In 2004, Saudi authorities executed 35 people, down from 52 people in 2003.

Most were convicted of drug smuggling.

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