Saudi Arabia executes three soldiers for 'high treason'

Executions were carried out on Saturday in the southern region, defence ministry says

(FILES) -- File picture dated November 8, 2009 shows Saudi soldiers deploying near the border with Yemen in the desert region of Khuba, about 60 kilometres (35 miles) inland from the Red Sea coast, in the southern Saudi province of Jizan. Shiite rebels in northern Yemen accused Saudi forces of launching a major cross-border ground and air attack on November 23, a day after an alleged failed incursion. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo by AFP FILES / AFP)
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Saudi Arabia on Saturday executed three soldiers who were convicted of "high treason" and "co-operating with the enemy", the kingdom's defence ministry said.

It said that the three men had been sentenced to death by a special court after a fair trial.

A defence ministry statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency identified the soldiers as Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Yahya Akam, Shaher bin Isa bin Qassem Haqqawi and Hamoud bin Ibrahim bin Ali Hazmi.

It said the executions were carried out by authorities in the southern region bordering Yemen, where Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government in a war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels since 2015.