Iran, Egypt lead Middle East in executions in 2020

Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia accounted for 88% of executions last year outside of world leader China, according to Amnesty International.
anti-death penalty exhibit Trafalgar Square
An exhibition in Trafalgar Square in London on Oct. 10, 2020, calls for an end to executions in Iran. The exhibition, held by Anglo-Iranian communities in the UK, marked World Day against the Death Penalty. - Hollie Adams/Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Four Middle Eastern states accounted for a large share of executions worldwide last year, according to a leading human rights organization. 

London-based Amnesty International released its statistics Wednesday on executions for the year 2020. China remained the world’s top executioner. Aside from the People’s Republic, Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia accounted for 88% of the remaining executions in the world, according to a press release. 

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