Saudi Arabia's King Salman has ordered an end to the death penalty for crimes committed by minors, according to a top official.
The decision comes on the heels of another ordering judges to end the practice of flogging, replacing it with jail time, fines or community service.
King Salman's son and heir, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is seen as the force behind the kingdom's loosening of restrictions.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is believed to be behind the kingdom's easing restrictions. Source: ABACA
The crown prince has sought to modernise the country, attract foreign investment and revamp Saudi Arabia's reputation globally.
He's also overseen a parallel crackdown on liberals, women's rights activists, writers, moderate clerics and reformers.
The 2018 killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey by agents who worked for the crown prince drew sharp criticism internationally.
The latest royal decree by King Salman could spare the death penalty for at least six men from the country's minority Shi'ite community.
The royal decree orders prosecutors to review cases and drop punishments for those who've already served the maximum 10 years.
