In the run up to the Easter holiday, when Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on the orders of Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate, many of the Middle East religious minority will be contemplating the brutal practice.
But few might realize that the violent method of capital punishment is still alive and well in one of their fellow regional countries: Saudi Arabia.
Just this week, a Yemeni man convicted of murdering a Pakistani national in the desert kingdom was not only beheaded but had his body crucified post-mortem.
Critics of the kingdom's conservative laws say the guilty party received a more extreme punishment because he was found to have 'committed sodomy' with his victim prior to the murder.
Nadim Houry, spokesman for global advocacy group, Human Rights Watch, said: "regardless of the accusations against him, outrageous punishments such as this demonstrate a complete disregard for international human rights standards," adding, "Saudi authorities should halt this practice immediately."
A statement by the state news agency, SPA, confirmed that Yemeni national Mohammed Rashad Khairi Hussein, was found guilty of both crimes as well as a string of robberies.
Hussein's death brings the total number of people put to death so far this year at 28 but none have met such a brutal end as the Yemeni citizen.
Should Saudi be allowed to continue the practice? What about the idea that they are following Sharia to the letter of the law? Tell us what you think below.
