Dozens of Ethiopian prisoners on death row in Saudi Arabia have reached out to international media, expressing desperation and fear amid a surge in executions. Many are accused of drug smuggling, primarily involving khat and hashish, and face uncertain fates within a judicial system criticized for lacking transparency and due process.

Rising Executions Among Ethiopian Nationals

Recent data shows a significant increase in executions of Ethiopian nationals in Saudi Arabia. While only two Ethiopians were executed in 2024, the number rose to 35 in 2025, with 17 executed in the first seven months of 2026 alone. This rise coincides with ongoing instability in Ethiopia's Tigray region, prompting many to flee the conflict and seek better opportunities abroad.

Allegations of Unfair Trials

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, highlight systemic issues in the legal proceedings:

  • Defendants often lack access to legal representation.
  • Translation services are inadequate or unavailable.
  • Prisoners report signing documents in Arabic without understanding their content.
  • Appeals are effectively impossible without legal counsel, leading to automatic upholding of death sentences.

Prisoners like Habtom and Desta, both from Tigray, describe overcrowded and harsh prison conditions. They recount being arrested after carrying packages they later learned contained narcotics, often under coercion or deception. Despite their pleas and the intervention of Ethiopian officials, executions continue.

Diplomatic Efforts and Calls for Justice

The Ethiopian government has engaged with Saudi authorities, including visits by diplomats and meetings between foreign ministers, but tangible progress remains limited. The African Union's human rights commission has urged Ethiopia to protect its nationals, while religious and community leaders have called for clemency and negotiations.

The Saudi government maintains that executions follow thorough investigations, court rulings, appeals, and royal decrees, emphasizing their commitment to combating drug trafficking.

As inmates endure overcrowded cells and psychological stress, they continue to appeal for international attention and assistance, hoping for commuted sentences and a chance to return home.