Three soldiers sentenced to death for ‘treason’

KATHMANDU: MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021 – Saudi Arabia on Saturday sentenced three top soldiers to death for “treason”, the defense ministry said.

The ministry said in a statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency, a state-run news agency, that the army had decided to execute three soldiers who had “aided the enemy” and committed treason. The statement said military officials Mohammed bin Ahmed, Saher bin Isa and Hamad bin Ibrahim were sentenced to death without revealing who they were involved in anti-state activities.

The announcement comes as Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 35-year-old successor to Saudi Arabia, ascends to the throne. At the same time, there have been unconfirmed allegations that Saudi Arabia has not played a strong role in the campaign against Yemen as it has stepped up its military operations in neighboring Yemen.

Prince Mohammed is already seen as a contender for the country’s new leadership.