1.   Amnesty International and other Western human rights groups have sharply criticized the beheadings, which are carried out near mosques after midday prayers.

2.   Arab and Western human rights organizations have criticized the beheadings, saying defendants often are executed after only a summary trial.

3.   Arab and Western human rights organizations have criticized the beheadings, saying defendants often are executed without a fair trial.

4.   The beheadings have been criticized by the Arab Organization for Human Rights and other international groups.

5.   Western human rights organizations have sharply criticized the beheadings, performed near public squares outside mosques after midday prayers.