In one of its biggest mass execution, Saudi Arabia has executed 81 men for various offences ranging from joining militant groups to holding “deviant beliefs”, according to the ministry of interior.

In a statement on Saturday, the ministry said, “These individuals, totalling 81, were convicted of various crimes including murdering innocent men, women and children.

“Crimes committed by these individuals also include pledging allegiance to foreign terrorist organisations, such as ISIS (Islamic State), al-Qaeda and the Houthis.”

The ministry said 37 Saudi nationals had been found guilty in a single case for attempting to assassinate security officers and targeting police stations and convoys.

Those executed included seven Yemenis and one Syrian national, who had been convicted of “multiple heinous crimes.”

Saudi Arabia has one of the highest execution rates in the world – fifth in a list compiled by Amnesty International, the other four being China, Iran, Egypt and Iraq.

The execution on Saturday tops its previously recorded 67 executions reported in 2021.

Amnesty International recorded at least 657 executions in 20 countries worldwide in 2019. 86 per cent of all reported executions took place in just four countries, Iran with 251 executions, Saudi Arabia with 184, Iraq with 100 executions, and Egypt with 32.

In 2016, Saudi Arabia executed 47 people, including a prominent opposition Shia leader who had rallied demonstrations in the kingdom, and terrorism related crimes.