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Yemeni beheaded in Saudi for rape, armed robbery

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - A Yemeni man convicted of rape and armed robbery was beheaded Monday, the Interior Ministry said.

Mohammed bin Hassan bin Ali was found guilty of breaking into several homes, threatening their residents with a knife, raping women and stealing their jewelry, a ministry statement said.

It said the execution was carried out in the holy city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia, bringing to 30 the number of people executed this year in the conservative kingdom. About 81 people were beheaded last year.

Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest shrines and follows a strict interpretation of Islam. It imposes the death penalty for murder, rape, drug trafficking and armed robbery. Minor crimes, such as pick-pocketing, are punished by hand amputation.

Executions are carried out publicly by a sword to serve as a deterrent.