The late Igor spent 18 months in Saudia Arabia, once. He was “gathered” from the “souk” by an armed policeman who insisted Igor accompany him. It was a Friday, the Muslim holy day.
He was escorted to a public square, and there he was brought to the edge of a large circle of people to witness...a beheading. The stick in the photo is jabbed into the back and when the victim straightens up, the executioner does his job with one stroke of the scimitar.
He was not allowed to leave, nor look away, nor even close his eyes. He figured it was a “lesson to all Infidels,” even though he was there at the request of the Royal Saudi family.