Authorities say execution followed conviction for a grave crime, describing the woman’s actions as heinous and prohibited under the law.
A Saudi woman convicted of shooting her mother dead and attempting to murder her sister has been executed in Saudi Arabia, according to the country’s Ministry of Interior.
The execution was carried out on Sunday, October 18, following the completion of legal proceedings and the approval of the sentence by the relevant authorities.
In a statement, the Ministry said the punishment was implemented “in view of the heinous nature of the crime and the fact that her actions constituted a prohibited act and a grave offence, one of the gravest major sins and a severe act of filial disobedience”.
Woman convicted of killing mother in Al-Qassim
Authorities identified the convicted woman as Sahar bint Faisal bin Fayyad Al-Hanini Al-Harbi, a Saudi national.
According to the Ministry, the crime occurred in the Al-Qassim region of central Saudi Arabia.
Court records showed that Sahar fatally shot her mother, Amal bint Tulaihan bin Sa’noun Al-Harbi, who was also a Saudi citizen, and desecrated her body.
She was also found guilty of attempting to murder her sister.
Following her arrest, security authorities conducted an investigation that resulted in criminal charges being filed against her.
The case was subsequently referred to the competent court, which convicted her and handed down a death sentence.
The ruling became final after the appeals process, with the Supreme Court upholding the punishment. A royal order was then issued authorising its implementation in accordance with Islamic law (Sharia).
The Saudi Ministry of Interior reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting public security, upholding justice and enforcing Sharia rulings against individuals who threaten innocent lives.
It also warned that those responsible for such crimes would face the penalties prescribed under Islamic law.
Recent executions in Saudi Arabia
The execution comes amid a series of capital punishment cases reported in the Kingdom.
On Saturday, October 17, Saudi Arabia executed five nationals convicted of terrorism-related offences.
The five men were found guilty of joining a foreign terrorist organisation, firing at security personnel and providing support for terrorist operations within the Kingdom.
Since the beginning of 2026, Saudi Arabia has executed 15 people convicted of terrorism offences, most of them in the country’s eastern region. By comparison, 40 people were executed following terrorism convictions in 2025.
In a separate case, two Bangladeshi nationals were executed on October 15 after being convicted of committing an act of indecency inside a mosque in the holy city of Makkah.
The Ministry of Interior identified them as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar.
According to authorities, both were arrested following the incident, and investigations resulted in charges being filed against them.
The case was referred to the competent court, which upheld the charges and imposed the death penalty, citing the seriousness of the offence and the violation of the sanctity of the religious site and the circumstances in which the act occurred.
Saudi Arabia’s position on capital punishment
According to human rights organisation Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia ranked as the world’s third-highest executioner between 2022 and 2025, behind China and Iran.
The Kingdom maintains that capital punishment is necessary to preserve public order, protect society and uphold justice.
Saudi authorities also insist that death sentences are implemented only after the judicial process has been completed and all available appeals have been exhausted.
