Syrian beheaded for drug smuggling in Saudi

Saudi authorities beheaded on Tuesday a Syrian man convicted of trying to smuggle narcotics into the kingdom, the interior ministry said.

Hussam Al Rjoob had attempted to "smuggle a large amount of narcotic tablets," the ministry said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency.

His execution in the northern province of Jawf brings to 51 the number of people executed in Saudi Arabia this year.

In 2012, the Gulf country put 76 people to death, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.