Saudi Arabia executes national for rape

RIYADH, Oct 15 - Saudi Arabia executed a Saudi man   on Tuesday for kidnapping and raping a girl, the Interior Ministry said.

      In a statement reported by the official Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said Ayman Hazazi had been drinking when he stole a car, took the girl to a   deserted area and raped her repeatedly.

  It did not specify the girl's nationality or age.

  The execution raised to at least 36 the number of people put to death in   the conservative Muslim kingdom so far this year.

      At least 75 people were executed last year and 121 in 2000.

      Saudi Arabia implements strict Islamic law which punishes rapists, murderers and drug smugglers by execution. Beheading is the most common method of execution.