In a statement, the International Human Rights organisation say that theye are deeply concerned at the alarming increase in the rate of executions in Saudi Arabia after four Sri Lankan men were executed.

The organisation say the total number of those executed so far this year by Saudi government is at least seventeen. The organization say that they fear that other executions may be imminent and is urging King Abdullah to commute all death sentences and ensure respect of fair trial guarantees for those facing the death penalty.

Four Sri Lankan men were executed in the capital Riyadh.

Sri Lankans without fair trial

In a statement Amnesty International say they had repeatedly appealed to the Saudi Arabian authorities on behalf of three of the men. D.D. Ranjith De Silva, E.J. Victor Corea, Sanath Pushpakumara and Sharmila Sangeeth Kumara were reportedly arrested in 2004 in connection with a series of violent armed robberies.

According to Amnesty International, While the first three named men were sentenced to death, Sharmila Sangeeth Kumara believed that he had been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and was not at risk of death.

They also question the validity of the judicial syastem of the country, "The men received an unfair trial and were sentenced in the absence of legal and consular representation. The men’s families and the Sri Lankan authorities were not informed of their executions beforehand".

"Saudi Arabia’s secretive judicial system is such that in many cases those sentenced to death and their families are not informed of the charges or the progress of the legal proceedings against them".

No help from Sri Lanka

The victim's families appealed to the President of Sri Lanka to intervene on behalf of his citizens with no positive result.

Amnesty International say the suspects were denied the basic rights to defend themselves. "Furthermore, defendants may be convicted solely on the basis of “confessions” obtained under duress, including torture or other ill-treatment and trials invariably fall short of international standards for fair trial. Trial proceedings take place behind closed doors, without the defendants being given the right to legal representation, and in the case of foreign nationals, without adequate or no access to consular assistance".

Since the executions of the Sri Lankans, The organization has issued a fresh appeal, "Amnesty International repeats its earlier calls to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to commute all outstanding death sentences and ensure that all trial proceedings of people facing such punishment are conducted strictly in accordance with international standards for fair trial".

Those executed so far this year include four Sri Lankans, three Pakistanis, two Iraqis, one Nigerian and seven Saudi Arabians including one woman.