Dozens of Ethiopian inmates are reportedly awaiting execution in Saudi Arabia, and some have managed to contact the BBC from inside prison to describe their situation. The report centers on the fear and urgency felt by prisoners who say they are facing death sentences far from home.
According to the account, one young Ethiopian man reached the broadcaster by phone from his cell on death row. Identified in the report as Habtom, he was described as sounding desperate as he spoke about the reality of living under the threat of execution.
The calls offer a rare window into conditions for foreign nationals held on death row in Saudi Arabia. They also bring attention to the plight of Ethiopian prisoners whose cases are now being heard not through official statements, but through direct appeals from inside prison.
With dozens said to be in the same position, the story highlights a growing human concern involving Ethiopian inmates, Saudi Arabia’s justice system and the extreme uncertainty faced by prisoners awaiting possible execution.
