Russia
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Moratorium on executions
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 0
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 0
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · In 1996, the then President Boris Yeltsin imposed a...
- News items in the archive
- 461
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Russia is classified as Moratorium on executions in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 0 executions in the country, against 0 the year before. The archive holds 461 news items on Russia, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
- NOVEMBER 4, 2024RussiaDEATH PENALTY
HEAD OF RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH SAYS JESUS CONDONED DEATH PENALTY
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, claimed on November 3, 2024 that though “Christ himself suffered an undeserved execution,” he had never condemned capital punishment.
- APRIL 2, 2024RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA WANTS CROCUS CITY HALL TERRORISTS TO STAND TRIAL IN BELARUS SO THEY CAN GET THE DEATH PENALTY
Russia could allow a trial of the Crocus City Hall terrorist suspects to take place in neighbouring Belarus so they can face the death penalty.
- JUNE 28, 2023RussiaDEATH PENALTY
UKRAINE WAR: RUSSIA EXECUTED 77 CIVILIANS DETAINED BY ITS FORCES, UN SAYS
A United Nations monitoring mission in Ukraine says Russia has detained more than 800 civilians since the conflict began and has executed 77 of them.
- MARCH 7, 2022RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIAN MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY NOT CONNECTED TO RUSSIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN COUNCIL OF EUROPE, IT HAS NO DEFINITE TERM - FEDERATION COUNCIL COMMITTEE HEAD
The moratorium on the death penalty in Russia has no definite term and is not connected to Russia's membership in the Council of Europe, Andrei Klishas, the head of the Federation Council Constitutional Legislation and State-Building Committee, said on 2
FEBRUARY 28, 2022RussiaDEATH PENALTYRUSSIA: DMITRY MEDVEDEV CALLS ON RUSSIA TO REINTRODUCE DEATH PENALTY
After the Council of Europe on 25 February 2022 suspended Russia’s rights of representation, the country’s deputy chairman of the Security Council says this is a good opportunity to restore the death penalty for the most severe crimes.
JANUARY 10, 2022RussiaDEATH PENALTYRUSSIA: CHAIR OF COSTITUTIONAL COURT DISCUSSES RETURN OF DEATH PENALTY
The moratorium on capital punishment imposed in Russia in 1997 after the country joined the Council of Europe could be lifted in the future, the chairman of the country’s Constitutional Court said on 28 December 2021.
- JANUARY 1, 2020RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- JANUARY 1, 2019RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- FEBRUARY 8, 2018RussiaDEATH PENALTY
the independent public opinion research center Levada reported that its latest poll had uncovered a major split in the
the independent public opinion research center Levada reported that its latest poll had uncovered a major split in the
- JANUARY 1, 2018RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- JUNE 9, 2017RussiaDEATH PENALTY
the head of the State Duma Committee for Security has proposed allowing Russian
the head of the State Duma Committee for Security has proposed allowing Russian
JUNE 9, 2017RussiaDEATH PENALTYRUSSIA: MP PROPOSES ‘DELAYED DEATH PENALTY’ FOR CONVICTED TERRORISTS
The head of the State Duma Committee for Security has proposed allowing Russian courts to sentence convicted terrorists to death under condition that the execution of the sentence is delayed until the current moratorium on capital punishment is lifted.
- JANUARY 1, 2017RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- MARCH 25, 2016RussiaDEATH PENALTY
A number of Russian Duma deputies have proposed a bill that would introduce the death penalty for terrorism-related crimes.
A number of Russian Duma deputies have proposed a bill that would introduce the death penalty for terrorism-related crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2016RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
MAY 12, 2015RussiaDEATH PENALTYRUSSIA: STATE DUMA REFUSES TO INSTITUTE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR TERRORISM
Russia’s State Duma rejected in the first reading the initiative of member of the Liberal Democratic Party
- APRIL 12, 2015RussiaDEATH PENALTY
According to a Public Opinion Foundation’s survey held on 11-12 April 2015 among 1,500 respondents in
According to a Public Opinion Foundation’s survey held on 11-12 April 2015 among 1,500 respondents in
- JANUARY 1, 2015RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
JULY 14, 2014RussiaDEATH PENALTYRUSSIA: FEWER CITIZENS SUPPORT DEATH PENALTY
According to a Levada Center’s survey held on 20-23 June 2014 in 134 cities, towns and villages in 46
- JANUARY 1, 2014RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- SEPTEMBER 2, 2013RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA: IRAQI CITIZEN FACING DEATH PENALTY AT HOME FOR CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY GRANTED ASYLUM
The Russian authorities decided not to deport a citizen of Iraq, who earlier adopted Christianity
- JULY 1, 2013RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA: NUMBER OF DEATH PENALTY SUPPORTERS GROWS
A total of 38 percent Russians support the resumption of death penalties in the
- FEBRUARY 12, 2013RussiaDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA STRONGLY OPPOSED TO REINSTATING DEATH PENALTY
The Russian State Duma decided against re-introducing the death penalty. MPs do not see execution
- JANUARY 1, 2013RussiaDEATH PENALTY
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
With the introduction of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation of 1996
- APRIL 29, 2012RussiaDEATH PENALTY
offenders can be sentenced to death.
offenders can be sentenced to death.
- MARCH 20, 2012BelarusDEATH PENALTY
RUSSIA CALLS ON MINSK TO JOIN MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
Russia wants all European countries including Belarus to join the moratorium on the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2012RussiaDEATH PENALTY
Russia is committed to abolishing the death penalty as a member of the Council of Europe
Russia is committed to abolishing the death penalty as a member of the Council of Europe
- DECEMBER 13, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA: RUSSIAN WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH
Russian national Marina Lopatina said she will not appeal her death sentence with a two year reprieve.
- NOVEMBER 23, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA: RUSSIAN WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN CHINA FOR DRUG-TRAFFICKING
Russian national Marina Lopatina, 37, a Khabarovsk resident, was sentenced to death with a two year reprieve by a court in the Chinese city of Zhuhai, the Russian Embassy in Beijing said.
- JULY 7, 2011ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA SENTENCES RUSSIAN TO DEATH FOR HEROIN SMUGGLING
a Chinese court sentenced a Russian national to death for attempting