RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Thursday carried out the execution of an Egyptian national convicted of the premeditated murder of a Saudi academic in Dhahran, the Ministry of Interior announced. The ministry confirmed that Mahmoud Al-Muntasir Ahmed Youssef, an Egyptian resident, was executed on July 17, 2025, in the Eastern Province after a royal order was issued to implement the court's final ruling of ta'zir (discretionary) death penalty. According to the statement, Youssef was found guilty of breaking into the home of Dr. Abdul Malik Bakr Abdullah Qadi, a respected former professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and stabbing him 16 timeswith a knife, resulting in his death. The crime was premeditated, with the assailant bringing a weapon from his residence and exploiting the elderly couple's vulnerability. Youssef also attempted to kill Dr. Qadi's wife, Adlah bint Hamed Mardini, by beating and stabbing her, causing serious injuries. The assailant aimed to rob the couple, forcibly entering the home and stealing a sum of money under threat of violence. Security forces swiftly apprehended the attacker, and subsequent investigations confirmed his responsibility for the crime. Due to the severity, brutality, and deliberate nature of the act, the court ruled for the maximum penalty. The ruling was upheld through all levels of the judiciary and ratified by royal decree. The Interior Ministry emphasized that the punishment reflects the Kingdom's commitment to ensuring public safety, protecting lives, and enforcing justice, particularly in cases involving homicide, armed robbery, and home invasion. Dr. Qadi's murder in June 2025 sparked widespread grief across academic and community circles. He was known for his contributions to Islamic scholarship, having authored "The Encyclopedia of Prophetic Hadith" and "Authors of the Sunnah and Prophetic Biography." The Ministry reiterated its warning that anyone who threatens public security or harms innocent lives will face the full force of Saudi law.
