A prince from the Saudi royal family was executed on Tuesday for murdering a man during a brawl in the capital Riyadh, the Interior Ministry announced.

The execution of Prince Turki Saud-al-Kabir is an extremely rare case of a member of the conservative kingdom’s ruling family being put to death.

The Interior Ministry stated that “in announcing this, we want to affirm to all that the Kingdom’s government is determined to establish security.

“It will bring about justice and implement God’s law against all those who attack the innocent.”

Meanwhile, local media reported that the killing for which the prince was executed took place in 2012.

The media indicated that Prince Turki’s death sentence was upheld by the Appeal Court and the High Court.

Another royal prince welcomed the news, in the first public reaction from a member of the ruling family.

Prince Khaled Al Saud said “this is God’s law, and the way of our blessed kingdom. May God have mercy on the killer and his victim.”

A report says the execution brings to 128 the number of persons put to death so far in the country this year.

Saudi Arabia, which applies strict interpretation of Islamic law, is among the top executioners in the world, according to international rights groups.

On Jan. 2, authorities beheaded 47 people, including a prominent Shiite cleric, on terrorism-related charges, leading to furious protests from regional rival Iran and criticisms from rights groups.

Saudi Arabia imposes the death penalty for offences including murder, armed robbery, banditry, rape, drug-trafficking and witchcraft. (dpa/NAN)