Saudi executed for murder

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 17 (UPI) -- A Saudi man was beheaded Sunday for killing a Pakistani and two Indians while robbing them.

The interior ministry said Abdul Rahman al-Otaibi was convicted of killing the Asian men and injuring two others in separate robbery incidents.

His execution, in which his head was dismembered with a sword in public, brought to 37 those put to death since the beginning of the year, including three convicted terrorists who were executed Friday.

Those convicted in the Islamic courts of murder, armed robbery, rape, drug trafficking and renouncing their Muslim religion are sentenced to death.

Last year, 34 people were beheaded in the oil-rich kingdom, which says it follows strict Islamic laws.