Saudi Arabia beheads man convicted of murder

Saudi authorities have beheaded a Saudi man convicted of fatally shooting a fellow citizen over a dispute. Jamal al-Shammari was executed in the northern city of Hayel after being convicted of murdering Mitaab al-Ghaithi, the Interior Ministry says in a statement without explaining the nature of the dispute. Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which people convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape and armed robbery can be executed, usually with a sword. Sunday's beheading brings to 8 the number of beheadings in the kingdom this year, according to an Associated Press count. In 2008, 102 people were beheaded.