Welcome to the Empire Files podcast. This is Abby Martin. This is the audio version of each episode of the Empire Files hosted on Telesaur English. You can watch every episode at the Empirefiles. TV.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the awe of the world. Its immaculate buildings, impossible landscapes, dream like hotels and resorts.

Who wouldn't want to live in this lavish wonderland?

It's so regal and perfect that the world's champion of democracy and human rights

is sidled up closer to it than any other friends.

The country that's been very close and very helpful to us. A leader of Arab and Muslim people and a good friend of the United States.

It's indicative of the long-standing friendship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

It's no surprise then, the Saudi Kingdom was picked ahead the United Nations Special Saudi Arabia. It's no surprise then the Saudi kingdom was picked ahead

the United Nations special panel on human rights.

Its vision and expertise can now bless the world.

Part of the Saudi monarchy's vision of human rights for the world

includes, among other things, cutting lots of people's heads off with swords

right in the middle of the street.

Saudi Arabia is one of only four countries in the world that still practices public executions,

and has already executed more than a hundred people in the first six months of 2015,

mostly by ISIS-style beheadings at a rate of one every two days.

So many, in fact, that the government posted a new job listing for eight additional executioners

earlier this year.

Saudi courts regularly hand down death sentences for things like sorcery, adultery, armed robbery, blasphemy,

homosexuality, and drugs. Methods to carry out executions are gruesome. Beheading, firing

squad, or stoning to death. Nonviolent drug offenses account for a shocking, 43% of all executions. But when beheadings aren't

terrifying enough, the kingdoms depraved elites resort to crucifixions. The appointment to the UN

...