Punisher-in-chiefs: How different are ISIS and Saudi Arabia really?
Both countries prescribe near-identical punishments to crimes committed on their turfs
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.
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.