State advertises for swordsmen as executioners

Saudi Arabia advertised vacancies for eight executioners Tuesday.

The civil service ministry said that no qualifications were necessary and that applicants would be exempted from the usual entrance exams.

It said that the successful candidates would also be expected to carry out amputations ordered by the courts.

The vacancies were advertised on the ministry's website in the "religious jobs" section.

The interior ministry says the death penalty is an important deterrent.