Punisher-in-chiefs: How different are ISIS and Saudi Arabia really?

Both countries prescribe near-identical punishments to crimes committed on their turfs


January 22, 2015
US journalist James Foley was beheaded by an ISIS militant. The horrific killing was recorded on video. PHOTO: YOUTUBE SCREEN GRAB

The Islamic State (IS) and Saudi Arabia prescribe near-identical punishments for a host of crimes, according to documents circulated by the militant group.

Following the lashing of blogger Raif Badawi and leaked footage that showed the public execution of a woman accused of beating her daughter, Saudi Arabia has come under international scrutiny for its harsh interpretation of Sharia law and its use of capital punishment.

Middle East Eye, a website that focuses on news from the region, contrasted a set of legal punishments recently announced by the Islamic State with the corresponding punishments in Saudi Arabia.



While their punishments are strikingly similar, a key difference between Saudi Arabia and ISIS is that the former is a key US ally in the region – and also a member of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State.

Saudi Arabia has been increasingly concerned about ISIS' expansion and is reportedly building a 600-mile long “Great Wall,” to keep the Islamic State out of its borders.

COMMENTS (6)

prak | 9 years ago | Reply

@Naeem Qurban: ok then what is the punishment to Man for Adultery? ohh I forgot If man do something like this it is still somehow women's fault, right?

Wahhabis Suck | 9 years ago | Reply

Time to start writing against the root of all evil in the Muslim world, Oil rich Gulf countries particularly, Saudi Arabia! It has messed Pakistan up sooooo much that reversing the damage done by it will take decades and that's being hopeful that such a reversal is even possible.

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