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

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

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.