Saudi Arabia to end death penalty for minors in latest easing of laws

Shortly after ending the practice of flogging, Saudi Arabia will no longer impose the death penalty on minors, according to a top official.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz has ordered an end to executions of minors. Source: SAUDI ROYAL COURT

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered an end to the death penalty for crimes committed by minors, according to a top official.

The decision comes on the heels of another ordering judges to end the practice of flogging, replacing it with jail time, fines or community service.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is believed to be behind the kingdom's easing restrictions. Source: ABACA

King Salman's son and heir, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is seen as the force behind the kingdom's loosening of restrictions.

The crown prince has sought to modernise the country, attract foreign investment and revamp Saudi Arabia's reputation globally.

He's also overseen a parallel crackdown on liberals, women's rights activists, writers, moderate clerics and reformers.

The 2018 killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey by agents who worked for the crown prince drew sharp criticism internationally.

The latest royal decree by King Salman could spare the death penalty for at least six men from the country's minority Shi'ite community.

The royal decree orders prosecutors to review cases and drop punishments for those who've already served the maximum 10 years.